Bettie Patricia Riggs

Bettie Patricia Riggs, 79, peacefully passed away on December 18, 2022, surrounded by her loving family.


Bettie was born on November 20, 1943 in Childress, Texas. She was the oldest of three girls born to John and June Boren. She grew up in Snyder, Texas and graduated from Snyder High School in 1962. Bettie received her Bachelor's degree in Education from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1966. That is where she met her best friend and the love of her life, Lyle Riggs, and they were happily married for 55 years. She was a preschool and elementary school teacher for many years while living in different cities, such as Snyder, Texas, Biloxi, Mississippi, and Houston, Texas. Her favorite job of all was being a wife to Lyle, mother to her two daughters, Margaret and Amy, and grandmother (Mama B) to her 5 grandchildren.


Bettie had such strength because of her steadfast faith, and relationship with Our Heavenly Father. She was a quiet soul with the sweetest giggle. Bettie was always so clever, quick witted, and humorous. She was continuously learning and searching for new ideas to share. Bettie was loved and adored by everyone who met her. The impact she made on so many different little lives when she taught school, was fulfilling. She loved telling stories, traveling the world, antiquing, and becoming lost in her book collections. Bettie studied the Bible in a variety of ways, scrapbooked, cross-stitched, colored, loved playing card games, working puzzles, and watching the Houston Astros. She learned to garden at an early age and continued that love throughout her life. Another thing that fascinated her were the birds and insects that were drawn to her gardens. Every Fall she would turn on Saturday college football in the morning, and watch football games until late into the night. She loved cheering on her most favorite team of all, the TCU Horned Frogs, and was so excited they had an amazing season this year. Bettie was so fond of the Christmas season, and throughout her travels, would look for ornaments to bring home to adorn the Christmas tree each year. She loved looking at the tree and remembering the experiences of collecting each ornament. Most of all she loved being with her family; sharing stories and memories, and laughing together.


Bettie was preceded in death by her mother and father, John and June Boren. She is survived by her husband, Lyle Riggs, daughter and son in law, Margaret and Todd Hutto, daughter and son in law Amy and Michael Hall, five grandchildren, Seth and Drew Hutto, Madeline, Marley and Ryan Hall, mother in law, Gladys Riggs, brother in laws, Don and Dale Riggs, sisters Jane Wall and Susan Sargent, and many other loved ones such as cousins, nieces and nephews, and her sweet dog Gracie.


A visitation will take place at Lucas Funeral Home in Hurst, January 5, 2023 from 5 to 7 pm. A memorial will take place at First United Methodist Church 1321 S Main St. Houston, Texas on January 8, 2023 at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, you may donate in Bettie’s memory to The National Breast Cancer Foundation, https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org , since she was a breast cancer survivor, or https://www.brookwoodcommunity.org/give/ because she loved supporting the mission of that community.