Charles Wayne Riggsbee

Charles "Wayne" Riggsbee, 79, of Graham, passed away on Sunday, February 22, 2026 after a brief illness.

An Alamance County native, Wayne was born December 28, 1946 to parents Dorothy Mae Cates and Luther Leon Riggsbee, who preceded him in death, along with sisters, Becky Small and Shirley Bradley, and one brother, Ronnie Riggsbee. Surviving him is a sister, Ruby McIntyre.

In completion of his schooling at Walter M. Williams High School, just shy of 18 years of age, Wayne confidently enlisted into the United States Air Force. He proudly served 3 years as a Supply Inventory Specialist–12 months of which included deployment to Saigon, Vietnam.

Upon his completion of service, he spent 28 dedicated years working as a Dispatcher for Burlington Industries Transportation. He finished the remainder of his work ahead of retirement with Bradco Transportation. While Wayne took great pride in his years of service as a veteran and employee, his true fulfillment came from his family.

Wayne is preceded in death by his greatest love and wife of 41 years, Betty Bradshaw Riggsbee. From their shared love letters during Wayne's deployment, to the bedside care during Betty's final months, to the years in Betty's absence spent awaiting their reunion, it was undeniable the true love they shared, which Wayne never shied to reminisce on.

Together, they raised surviving children, Danielle (Pete) Martin and Steven Bryan Riggsbee. Wayne was a stable and hardworking support for their family, but always found time to attend every school and sports event. He made it a personal goal to be as involved and present as possible–family always came first, and Wayne loved nothing more than a Sunday meal at the table with his wife & kids.

Above all, there was one title Wayne was most proud of: Grandfather ("Peepaw"). He is survived by his 2 grandchildren, Morgan (Rivers) Upchurch and Caroline (Andrea) Rodriguez. He thrived in the many hours spent as their salon client, creating go-karts out of old lawn mowers to "race" in the yard, giving driving lessons around the neighborhood loop, and imparting his years of wisdom in their shared learning moments growing up.

Wayne was a kind and hardworking veteran who poured endless devotion, love, and patience into everything and everyone around him. Most recently, Wayne had found peace in many hours of expanded historical and astronomical research, woodworking, live sports, Hall & Oates albums, and creating unique mailboxes for his neighbors in Avalon Valley, which now survive him as small-scale, pleasant reminders of his memory and impact to all who pass by.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, February 26, 2026 at Linwood Cemetery in Graham, North Carolina at 1:00pm.