Gerald Kile Riggs
October 1, 1929 ~ July 17, 2010
Reverend Gerald Kile Riggs, Sr. died Saturday, July 17, 2010. He was born October 1, 1929 in Swansboro, NC to the late Alaric and Evelyn Heath Riggs.
He was a graduate of Swansboro High School, Campbell College, and New Orleans Baptist Seminary. He pastored Baptist churches for 50 years: Maysville Baptist, Maysville, NC, Little Rock Baptist, Boomer, NC, North Clinton Avenue Baptist, Dunn, NC, Oakdale Baptist, Rocky Mount, NC, Meherrin Baptist, Murfreesboro, NC, and retired from Oak Level Baptist, Rocky Mount.
He served for many years with the NC Baptist State Convention as a member of the Executive Board, regional Sunday School Director, Associational Moderator, and Vacation Bible School Director. Before beginning his church ministries, he served as a missionary in Alaska. He was a member of the Morning Star Masonic Lodge #85 of Nashville. He also served as Grand Chaplain for the State of North Carolina Masonic Lodge.
He had a great love for working with the youth at each of the churches he pastored and was honored to have ordained several of these youth as ministers.
His greatest joy was spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, family gatherings and summer vacations. Known as Pa Pa, last year he performed the marriage ceremonies of his two oldest grandchildren and baptized his two youngest grandchildren.
Since his retirement he found much joy and pleasure in serving as interim pastor of: Mount Zion, Oak Level, Baily, Philadelphia, West Mount, 1st Baptist Cedar Rock, Fishing Creek, Eagles, 1st Baptist Centerville, New Hope, Duke Memorial, and Social Plains, all Baptist Churches in the area.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Doris Threlkeld Riggs of the home; son, Gerald Riggs, Jr. of Jacksonville, FL ; daughters, Dawn Rhodes and husband Vernon of Rocky Mount, Joy Eatmon and husband Jeff of Emerald Isle, and Carrie Craig of Rocky Mount; grandchildren, Kile and Jennifer Riggs, Terin and Lee Carraway, Meghan Rhodes, Josh and Brooke Eatmon, Jenna Eatmon, Wyatt and Garrett Craig.
He is also survived by two brothers, Van Riggs of Swansboro and Terry Riggs of Sneads Ferry.
A funeral to celebrate his life will be held 3:00 PM, Tuesday, July 20, 2010 at Oakdale Baptist Church, Rocky Mount. His funeral will be conducted by Rev. Joe Price and Rev. Tim Hogan. Burial will follow at Rocky Mount Memorial Park with Masonic Rites.
The family will receive friends from 7- 8:30 Monday at Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home and other times at the home on Red Oak Road, Nashville. Flowers are accepted.
Arrangements by Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home, 1130 N. Winstead Ave., Rocky Mount, NC. You may share your memories and condolences to the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.
Visitation
Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services
1130 N. Winstead Ave.
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Monday 7/19, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Service
Oakdale Baptist Church
13037 US64 Alt. West Hwy
Rocky Mount, NC 27801
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Tuesday 7/20, 3:00 pm
Cemetery
Rocky Mount Memorial Park
4454 Dortches Blvd., Hwy 43
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
What a Great Witness for our Lord! He is sureley home now with him! No more suffering no more pain,,,,,J and Family oy it will not be long before we see him again! Love and Blessings Tony Andreola
I am surely going to miss that smiling face, Mr Riggs baptisted me years ago and has always held a special place in my heart. Mrs. Riggs, Gerald, Dawn, Joy,and Carrie I know you are going to miss him terribly but will see him again and know he is exactly were he wants to be. IN HEAVEN Robin Joyner
Uncle Gerald was such a kind and good-hearthed man. My prayers are with Aunt Doris, Jerry, Dawn, Joy, and Carrie as they morn Uncle Gerald’s passing and celebrate his new life.
Words cannot express my heartfelt love and prayers for your family as you both celebrate the life and experience the personal loss of a wonderful man that has helped so many people through the years. I appreciate so much Gerald’s help toward me during some times of struggle in the ministry. I know he assisted others as well. 2010 has been a year of illness and medical tests for me. I learned last week of his illness and was on medical rest myself. I will continue to be lifting you up in prayer. May God provide His strength to deal with all that is to come. Praying for God’s reichest blessings! God Bless! Dougald McLaurin
Dear Doris I know that you were saddened by the death of your husband. He will be greatly missed by you and his many friends. Though sympathy is small consolation, even when it comes from the hearts of those who share your sorrow, I want you to know how kenly your loss is felt by me and others who knew Gerald. It was my privilege to know Gerald personally. I had a great deal of respect for him and greatly appreciated his friendship. Although there is little that I can do or say to help you in this time of grief, please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. Sincerely, Frederick E. Turnage