Peggy Yantis Riggs

Peggy June Yantis (Bradley) Riggs went home to be with the Lord on August 7, 2015. She was born in Wichita Falls, Texas to Margarette and Felix Yantis, and was raised from the age of 3 by her grandmother, Lucille Dixon, after her mother’s death.

She married Richard V. Bradley on November 22, 1948. They moved to Abilene, Texas where she worked for a pediatrician until they adopted their first daughter, Vaughn Ann, in March 1958. On Christmas Eve in 1960, they brought home their second adopted daughter, Valerie Lynn, and in 1963, they welcomed their birth daughter, Vickie Jan.

Peggy and Dick moved frequently throughout West Texas where he worked in oil field supply sales. Eventually they moved to Liberal, Kansas, where they lived for 3 ½ years, before Dick was diagnosed with lung cancer.

On March 7, 1969 they moved to Midland to be closer to the VA hospital in Big Spring. Dick passed away on March 13th and Peggy found herself with 3 little girls in a town where she knew very few people. Peggy managed to purchase a house and made a home for herself and the girls. The Lord provided and they never went without anything they needed.

Through the grace of God, she was able to get a job at her church, St. Paul United Methodist. She left St. Paul in 1974. Later she went to work for Grace Petroleum and held several positions there before she left in 1986.

In 1980, she met Forrest Riggs in a church singles group, and fell in love. Forrest and Peggy married on February 14, 1981. Forrest retired from Borden’s and he and Peggy bought Midland Package Delivery in 1982. They owned the business until they retired in 1993. She was happy as long as she was with Forrest, and loved being able to talk to all the different people they delivered mail and packages to.

At age 70, Peggy discovered a hidden gift – oil painting. She began painting beautiful landscapes and still lifes. She was featured in an article in the Midland Reporter Telegram about local art classes. She also discovered her love of travel, and she and Forrest went on cruises and trips in their retirement years, including a trip to Hawaii.

Peggy and Forrest gave back to their community by volunteering for Meals on Wheels and Midland West Lions Club. Peggy received both the Life Membership Award and Bronze Vision Fellowship Award from the Texas Lions Club Eyeglass Center, as well as the Texas Lion Foundation Fellow honoring outstanding contribution to the Lions Foundation, one of the organization’s highest honors.

Peggy is preceded in death by her grandparents, her parents, and brother, William Yantis. She is survived by her husband, Forrest B. Riggs, daughters, Vaughn Bradley, Valerie Pieper, Vickie Williams, and husband Brad, grandchildren Miranda (Dolbow) Williamson, Alexandra (Ali) Williams and Dylan Williams, and great granddaughter, Ellie Hoffman. She kept a special bond with her former son-in-law Ron Pieper.

Visitation will be at Ellis Funeral Home on Wednesday, August 12, 2015 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Graveside services will be held on Thursday, August 13, 2015 at 9:00 am at Resthaven Memorial Park, with a memorial service following at 10:00 am at St. Paul United Methodist Church with Monte Kreis officiating. There will be a reception at the church afterwards.

Honorary pallbearers will be Brad Williams, Dylan Williams, Ron Pieper, Don Warren, Paul Riggs, Clifford Riggs and Jim Singleton.

The family wishes to thank all the caregivers and staff at Manor Park, Kent Kelly and the staff at Hospice of Midland, and Dr. Robert Vogel and the staff at Midland Memorial Hospital for the loving care Peggy received.

Memorial donations can be made in Peggy’s name to the American Cancer Society, 2304 W Wadley Ave, Midland, TX 79705, or to Hospice of Midland, 901 W. Missouri, Midland, Texas 79701.

Online condolences may be offered at www.ellisfunerals.com