Alphus "Al" Bender Riggs III
September 30, 1946 ~ January 21, 2015
Resided in:
Arden, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Alphus "Al" Bender Riggs III, of Arden, passed away Wednesday, January 21, 2015.
A native of Wilmington, NC, he was a son of the late Alphus B. Riggs Jr. and Ruby Reaves Riggs.
Al began his insurance career in Asheville in 1978 with Met Life before opening his own agency in 1989. He was a past member of the Million Dollar Roundtable and won numerous sales awards including making President's Club. He was an active member of the former West Asheville Church of God, which is now known as Connection Point Church of God, where he served in various leadership roles and was a minister of the Gospel. Heaven's Choir has gained a wonderful bass singer.
He is survived by his wife, Gaye Smith Riggs; one son, Alphus "Bender" Riggs IV; one daughter, Lisa Riggs-Coffey and her husband, Chan; one granddaughter, Savannah Gayle Coffey; two brothers, Charles I. Riggs and Donald U. Riggs, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, January 26, 2015 at Connection Point Church of God with Pastor Kevin Chapman, Rev. Larry McDaniel, and Pastor Dale Whitson officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Enka.
The family will receive friends from 7:00-8:30 PM on Sunday, January 25, 2015 at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian.
Gayle, Lisa and Benny, you have lost a great husband and father and I’ve lost my Big Brother. We have something missing in our lives now that can never be replaced. Al was the kindest, most thoughtful person we shall ever know. His devotion to his family was surpassed only by his devoted life to Christ. ‘ The measure of a man’s greatness is gauged by the size of the void he leaves behind.’ Certainly we feel as if we are now all alone in the world. However, Gods’ grace will comfort us and keep us until we meet him again in Heaven. Heaven has mined a RARE GEM and he shines brightly at Jesus side.
I love you all, Don his ‘Little Brother’
Gayle and Lisa,
So sorry to hear about your loss. He was a kindhearted and friendly man who made others feel right at home in his presence. I will keep you all close in my heart as you say goodbye. Love to you all!
May God Bless and keep you all. We send our love and prayers for the family. With love Ms. Jo, Heidi, Lauren, and Stephanie children’s department Tops For Shoes.
Sorry for your loss. God Bless all of you. I will miss him.
Gayle,Lisa and Benny I was so shocked to hear the news of Preacher Al . It has been so long since I have saw any of you but I have never forgotten any of you. Probably been since West Asheville COG . I can remember when the Dodsons snd myself would load up and go to that old way back in the country church to hear Al preach and no way Gayle was about to go !,, no bathrooms or running water. I used to laugh about.i loved to hear him preach and he helped me so often and all of you were the kindest people .i have never forgotten any if you and exspecially ‘preacher man’ as I would call him. I know he will be missed and I also know he is visiting around Heaven right now as well.His walk with God was amazing . And I had all faith in when he prayed he meant it and lord knows he called my name and Delisha and Sabrina’s name out a lot .Al was special to so many and I loved the video that touched my heart . I know words cannot help right now but I wish I could find the special words to help the pain of your loss. Lisa I know it’s going to be hard cas you were so close to dad ! Your a family that once you have meet you guys your ones to never be forgotten. But just know that Al touched lives in ways no one will ever know !!!! He truly was a man of God . Much love prayers go up for all of you.
Many memories
Sheila Rice Coleman
I will always remember Al for His love of his Lord, always smiling, soft voice,kind words and metting him when I worked in the Credit Department at Sears in the mall in the1970’s .His face showed the love of God and he was so kind, friendly and polite to everyone. My heart goes out to Gayle, his daughter,son ,granddaughter, brothers and all of the family. May all of you f kind peace and comfort in this time of your loss. My prayers are with all of you.
I had the privilege of meeting Al and his family when they lived in Savannah, Ga. Al was singing in the choir with me. He had such a passion for singing for the Lord. His humor and love for Christ and others was evident. He is singing in Heaven now and they are rejoicing with him. May God give you comfort in this difficult time. Joan Booth White
Paul and i admired Al. He was a preacher and musician, who used his talents willingly. A friendly caring man with a humble sweet spirit sums up his attributes for us. Gayle, I know for sure he will be sorely missed. We are praying for you and family.
Sorry for your loss. He was a great guy and will surely be missed by many. May God bless you and comfort you and grant you peace.
Al was a magnificent Man of God! He will be sorely missed. Our hearts are grieved, but Heaven is rejoicing because they have a fabulous addition to their choir! Al had such a positive impact on our lives at West Asheville Church of God. He encouraged me to join the Arden Presbyterian Singing Christmas Tree, which remains one the greatest highlights of my life.
He was a tremendous minister of the gospel, gifted singer, a lover of his family, especially his beloved Savannah.
Mike & I will never forget his fervor for the gospel, love of church and family, he & Gail’s hospitality to invite us into their beautiful home, and his overwhelming humility to serve. He, indeed, made a tremendous impact on our Christian journey.
Phyllis & Mike Robinson
So very sorry for your loss. We know that we will all see Al again one day. He had a soft voice when he spoke, but boy when he would sing or preach, that bass voice really came out. I truly enjoyed his singing and his preaching was always ‘spot on’ the Word of God! He was a kind and considerate man of God. Prayers for all the family during this time. I am sure he is enjoying all that Heaven has to offer!
Gayle
I can only think about a time so long ago as we began our lives after graduation, getting married, and being in each others wedding. I can truly say that you hit the jackpot with AL. Although we have not been in each others lives directly there has always been a bond that has never gone away. I will be thinking of you in the next few weeks and hope to see you again in the not too distant future
Al was such a kind and soft spoken person and he truly cared about others He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and gifted man of God. I am sure you have so many wonderful memories and I hope that those memories and the love of God will sustain you in the days to come.
It can certainly be said that Al’s life was’a life well lived’
Love Betty
I just found out about Al’s passing and am so very sorry. As a fellow insurance agent I had great respect for Al and he was my life and health agent. May peace be found in the memories of that wonderful smile and calm that surrounded Al.