Zelpha D. Blankenship Riggs, 90, of Batesville, passed away Sunday, January 14, 2024.
She was born September 19, 1933, in Melbourne, Arkansas to Teddy Medley Blankenship and Finne Aslee Neal Blankenship.
Zelpha was a member of Quail Valley Baptist Church and the EHC Club. She loved her family, celebrating her birthdays and all the attention. She loved doing things for others and volunteered for many organizations. Zelpha was very creative and loved crafting, quilting, and leatherworking; she even made hats and blankets for cancer patients. She had kept a beautiful flower garden with lots of bird feeders and loved those red birds. Zelpha was also an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals.
Survivors include her three sons, Harold ”Buck” Riggs of Batesville, Gary Riggs (Rebecca) of Pfieffer, and Robert Riggs of Cushman; six daughters, Barbara Tims of Batesville, Brenda Schmitz of Missouri, Linda Reynolds (Joe) of Queen Creek, Arizona, Belinda Burns of Batesville, Stephanie Stout of Batesville, and Phyllis Riley (Tim) of Newark; twenty-two grandchildren; fifty-two great-grandchildren; eleven great-great-grandchildren; as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Cleo Edward Riggs; one son, Arthur ‘Eddie” Riggs; four grandsons, Brandon Tims, Justin MacQuilkin, Allen Riggs, and Charles Riggs; one great-grandson, Dalton Tims; one great-granddaughter, Kailey Gordon; three brothers, Nelson Blankenship, Robert C. Blankenship, William Blankenship; and two sisters, Edith Morehead and Jessie Blankenship.
Pallbearers are Larry Tims, John Cain, Dean Cain, Ricky McClurg, Justin Roberts, and Jeff Son. Honorary pallbearers will be Joe Reynolds, Tim Riley, and all of her grandchildren.
Funeral services will begin at 1:00 pm Thursday, January 18, 2024, at Roller-Crouch Funeral Home with Robert Jones officiating. Burial will follow at Combs Cemetery in Melbourne.
Visitation will be held from 12:00-1:00 pm Thursday, January 18, 2024, just prior to service at the funeral home
Memorials may be made in her honor to Quail Valley Baptist Church, 4000 Harrison Street, Batesville, AR 72501, Combs Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 1001, Melbourne, AR 72556, or to American Cancer Society, 2222 Cottondale Lane #310, Little Rock, AR 72202.
