Mary Bell Rea Rigg

Mary Bell Rea Rigg of Jacksonville, North Carolina, died peacefully on August 6, 2015 in Newport, NC. She was born on June 20, 1921 to Thomas Floyd and Esta Ethel Rea in Ross County, Ohio. She was graduated from Good Hope High School in 1939, and Bliss Business College in Columbus, Ohio. During World War II, she worked at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. She met Robert David Rigg, in Dayton, Ohio, and they married on March 30, 1946.

In 1964, she returned to Civil Service work and retired in 1985 from the VA Medical Center, Shreveport, LA. Following her husband’s death, she moved to Jacksonville, NC.

She was an avid gardener, family genealogist, bird watcher and musician. Having found several Revolutionary War ancestors, she joined the Daughters of the American Revolution, Joseph Montfort Chapter, Jacksonville and Nathaniel Massie Chapter, Chillicothe, OH.

Her grandchildren enjoyed summers at her home, learning to fish, garden and appreciate music. She was a talented pianist.

She was an excellent bowler and participated with her husband in the Senior Olympic Games in Louisiana. They also spent many long, hot summer days fishing on the lakes in Louisiana. She was a Christian who spent mornings listening to David Jeremiah on the radio, meditated on his words throughout the day and had read the entire Bible more than once.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers, Carl Wilson Rea and Earl Thomas Rea, and sister, Virginia Ruth Rea Conroy, all of Ohio. She is survived by her children, Susan Rigg Woodard (George)of Jacksonville, NC and Robert Dennis Rigg, of Richlands, NC; grandchildren: Kathleen Woodard Benedict (Derek),Jacksonville, NC; Karilyn Woodard Laws (Ryan), Great Lakes, IL; Gregory Robert Woodard (Emily Laughlin), Hubert, NC; Randall Dennis Rigg, Tillery, NC; and Kimberley Renee Rigg Caraway (Kacey), Mount Pleasant, AR, and great grandchildren, Megan Kathleen and Davis George Benedict, and Kale Michael, Kaylin Renee, and Kyler Wayne Caraway.

Special thanks to Continuum Hospice Staff, Brynn and Kat; the Crystal Coast Hospice House Staff; Dr. Jose Ros and Staff; Dr. John Cho and Staff; and Dr. Michael Casciello and Staff.

A memorial service and interment will be held in Ohio at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Crystal Coast Hospice House, Newport, NC or The Salvation Army.

Condolences may be made at www.johnsonfuneralhomes.com

Arrangements by Johnson Funeral Home, Richlands.