Obituary of Mabel Louise Riggs
Mabel Louise Roberts was born in Habersham, Tennessee on July 9, 1947. She was one of seven children born from the union of Joseph John "Joe" Roberts and Matilda Nancy (Casey) Roberts. Mabel was a “Bulldog” attending Wynn High School in Duff, Tennessee. A Straight “A” student she graduated with the Class of 1965.
Mabel married the love of her life, George Bishop Victory Riggs on August 13, 1966, in Campbell County, Tennessee. The couple was blessed with four children. They moved North to Toledo, Ohio in 1976 for George to find work at Toledo Overhead Door and General Motors. They soon would make their forever home in LaSalle, Michigan. Mabel cared for the needs of her husband and children as a homemaker. The couple also took care of more than twenty long-term foster children. She relished this role as many of the foster children and grandchildren still call her Mamaw to this day including Larry (Roxanne) Smith, Gary (Jamie) Smith, and Jason (Jackie) Blanchette. She considered herself fortunate to have a host of foster grandchildren and foster great grandchildren.
More than anything in this world, Mabel loved tell others about Jesus. Even recently, she enjoyed teaching Sunday School. She liked rounding up the kids for church and Sunday school with LaSalle Missionary Baptist Church being the destination most times. Many people who crossed her path became believers because of her. Mabel knew no strangers, she saw the good in everyone, and loved everyone equally and implicitly. She often put the needs of everyone else ahead of her own. She was known for not having a filter, her inability to never sugarcoat anything, and even though she could be brutally honest it was always with love.
Together she and George loved to work on crafts, making wreaths and birdhouses. She continued this hobby after his passing and although she never made any money from her sales, she considered herself fortunate to have the money invested returned. Truly she enjoyed the smiles that her creations brought out of others.
Mabel Louise Riggs, age 75, of LaSalle passed away at 4:56pm on Thursday; December 22, 2022, at ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital. Her passing was preceded by her beloved husband: George on September 26, 2007; her parents; a granddaughter: Kiera Clawson in 2005; four sisters: Margaret Bowman Davis, Flossie Mae Hubbard, Lucinda "Cindy" Riggs, and Maudie Baird; and one brother: J.D. Roberts.
To cherish her memory, she leaves four children: Trisha (Gerad) Clawson of LaSalle, Brad (Nini) Riggs of Monroe, Brent Riggs of Pontiac, and Dynah (Ben) Hammac of Temperance; one brother: Howard (Bobbie Ann) Roberts; eight grandchildren: Landen and Presley Riggs, Kien and Kasee Clawson, Layton, Londyn, Benji, and Bryce Hammac; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Friends may gather from 3:00pm until 8:00pm on Wednesday; December 28, 2022, at Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe; 2442 North Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan 48162 (734) 384-5185. She will lie in state from 10:00am until 11:00am on Thursday; December 29, 2022, at LaSalle Missionary Baptist Church; 12845 C Street, LaSalle, Michigan 48145. A Celebration of Her Life will take place at 11:00am with Pastor Joseph Baird officiating. Procession will follow to LaSalle Township Cemetery for burial.
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