Edith R. Riggs

A native of Gibsonville, NC, the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Edward Riggins, she took her professional nurse’s training at Gallinger General Hospital in Washington, DC.

Early in 1942, she was commissioned a lieutenant in the Army Nurse Corps and was assigned to Camp Lee, VA, for training with the 45th General Hospital which was scheduled for overseas duty. While in training there, she married Lieutenant Roy Riggs, a member of a different unit.

Shortly thereafter, the 45th General Hospital was shipped to North Africa. She served with her unit throughout the North African campaign, and when the Allies invaded Italy, the 45th moved to Naples where it remained until the end of the war.

After the war, her husband became a university professor and administrator. The family, which now included three children, moved to Asheville in 1963 when her husband joined the faculty at Asheville-Biltmore College.

Edith was for many years Supervisor of Outpatient Clinics at Memorial Mission Hospital.

She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Dr. Roy A. Riggs, son Gregory Riggs (daughter-in-law Kaye) and granddaughters Caroline and Kristen of Atlanta, son Mark Riggs (daughter-in-law June) of Cary, NC and daughter Deena Riggs of Asheville; sister Thelma Burgess of Burlington, NC; brother Broadus Riggins (sister-in-law Dot) of Wendell, NC, and numerous nephews and nieces.

A memorial service will be at 11:00 am Monday at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue with the Rev. Gary Farmer officiating.

In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Roy and Edith Riggs Scholarship Fund, University of North Carolina at Asheville, One University Heights, Asheville, NC 28804.