Oda Arlene Riggs

1933 - 2024

Oda Arlene Hayes Riggs, 91 years old, peacefully went home to her Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. Arlene, the oldest daughter of the late Arlie Cason Hayes and Laura Oda Box Hayes, was born on March 4, 1933.

She is survived by her son & daughter: Stephen (Melissa) Riggs of Flagstaff, AZ and Laura (Howard) Lothrop of Memphis, TN; five granddaughters: Allison (Joseph) Barton, Katherine Lothrop, Mary Lothrop, Laura Ann Lothrop, & Julia Lothrop all of Memphis, TN; one sister: Geraldine Story of Memphis, TN; and many beloved nephews and nieces.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Leron Matt Riggs; infant daughter, Nancy Karen Riggs; brothers Vaughn Hayes, Floyd Hayes, & Hayward Hayes and sister Francie Bryant.

Arlene grew up in the bunches Chapel area of Decatur County working in the family cotton fields until she married and moved to Memphis in 1950. She retired from Eastwood Hospital (now Delta Medical Center) where she worked as manager of the Cardiac Laboratory. After retirement, she and Leron moved to Olive Branch, MS where she enjoyed gardening, birdwatching, and especially, having her granddaughters over for many fun sleepovers. She was an active member of Cedar View Baptist Church and volunteered much of her time there and at the Olive Branch Food Pantry/Thrift Shop.

In 2018, she moved to the Town Village Retirement Community in Memphis where she enjoyed sitting on the front porch with the many sweet friends she gained there.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 from 1-2 pm at Forest Hill Funeral Home – East located at 2440 Whitten Rd. Memphis, TN with the funeral service to follow, burial will also be on the property. Officiating will be Pastor Matt Moore