Alton "Red" Ray Riggs

Red was born in New Bern, North Carolina on January 13th, 1947. He graduated from New Bern High School in 1965 and enlisted in the Air Force the same year. He was always proud of his country and was a proud veteran of the Vietnam War.

Red was a life member of VFW Post 2514 in New Bern, serving as its Commander for 2 years. He was a life member of American Legion Post 24 and a member of New Bern Elks Lodge #764. He faithfully served in the Township 7 Volunteer Fire Department for over 30 years where he was instrumental in securing funding for better equipment, a permanent fire station, and county funding.

Red leaves behind the love of his life and wife of 46 years, Catherine “Cathy” Campbell Riggs; his daughter Elizabeth “Beth” Weeks Brown and her husband Billy of Lake Oswego, OR; his son Alton Heath Riggs and his wife Pati of New Bern, NC; three grandchildren: Catherine Campbell “CC” Brown, Harris Woodson Brown, and Patrick Thomas Riggs; sister Joyce Frazier and husband Lewis of River Bend, NC; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Seth Edward Riggs; his mother, Daphne Goodwin Riggs; his brother, Edward Earl Riggs; his sister-in-law Louise Destefano Riggs; and his brother-in-law Terrance Weyland Buck.

The family would like to sincerely thank Dr. Rick Gorman, Dr. Michael Meyers, and all of their staff at the UNC Cancer Center and Hospital for their expert and compassionate care during Red’s illness.

Visitation will begin at 10am on Tuesday, November 22, 2022, at Cotten Funeral Home, and it will be followed by a funeral service at 11am in the Cotten chapel. Food and refreshments will be served in the fellowship hall of Trinity United Methodist Church at 2311 Elizabeth Avenue, New Bern, immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, Red requested that donations be made in his name either to VFW Post 2514 at 3850 Butler Road, New Bern, NC 28560 or to the Carolina East Cancer Center, c/o Carolina East Foundation at 2007B Neuse Blvd, New Bern, NC 28562.

Arrangements by Cotten Funeral Home & Crematory. Online condolences may be made to the Riggs family @www.cottenfuneralhome.com