Mary Riggall

Family-Placed Death Notice

RIGGALL, Mary MARY ELIZABETH CALLAWAY RIGGALL Mary Riggall, a pioneering Atlanta advertising executive. Devoted grandmother and longtime collector and dealer of fine antiques, died Friday in Atlanta. She was 87. Mrs. Riggall began her career while still in her teens as an Atlanta Journal reporter in the Food and Fashions departments, and her talent as an elegant and creative writer never left her. During War War II she worked in positions supporting the war effort in California before returning to Atlanta to cofound her own advertising agency. One of the first women to lead their own firm. She also served as an account executive at Burke Dowling Adams, Inc., now BBDO Atlanta and, in later years she was creative director at Bonner McLane Advertising in Austin, Texas, and acted in the same capacity at the William Mills Agency in Atlanta. She was a founding member of American Women in Radio and Television, which was launched by a group of Atlanta women active in the industry. Mary Riggall's husband, John Riggall. who predeceased her, was also an Atlanta advertising executive and together they shared a deep enthusiasm for antiques. For many years she ran a shop in Vinings, and her work as a dealer continued into her 87th year. Mrs. Riggall took enormous delight in her twelve grandchildren and served as a friend, confidant and mentor to them all. Mary Riggall was born April 13, 1921 in Atlanta, The daughter of Thomas Franklin Callaway and Rachel Elizabeth Cates Callaway and she grew up in the family home in West End . She attended the Atlanta Public Schools, The University of GA, Atlanta Division (now GA State Univ ersity) and graduated with a degree in English from Marshall University in Huntington, W V She is survived by three daughters, Kathleen Wilson and Sharon Barnhart, both of Atlanta, and Merrilee Cunningham of Houston, Texas. She was predeceased by her youngest daughter, Belinda Allison, also of Atlanta. Also surviving are three stepsons, Dr. Steven Riggall of New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, and Chris Riggall and Michael Riggall both of Atlanta, as well as ten grandsons, two granddaughters, two nephews and a niece. A graveside service will be held at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs. Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at 2PM in lieu of flowers donations may be made to the charity of your choice. H. M. Patterson and Son Oglethorpe Hill Chapel, 4550 Peachtree Rd., Atlanta, 30319.