Nancy Caroline (Simmons) Riggins

Nancy Riggins, 83, of Madison, Georgia passed away Monday, May 15, 2023 after a tough battle with Parkinson’s which she fought in the most selfless and courageous way possible. 

Born in Ovalo, Texas on October 20, 1939, Nancy was the daughter of the late Allen and Jerrine (Rogers) Simmons. She was preceded in death by her sisters Florence Joy Frymire and Ruby Davidson; her brothers Donald, David, Charles, Richard, and Randy Bains; and her daughter, Tawny Lynn Hays.  Nancy spent most of her career as a legal secretary/paralegal. 

She was a beautiful, vibrant woman who loved life and enjoyed spending time with family and friends.  Nancy was smart with a clever sense of humor, incredibly patient and genuinely honest.  She was always stylish and enjoyed being fashionable no matter what the occasion.  Even later in life, she prioritized keeping up with childhood friends and those she had been close to while living in Texas and Illinois.  Nancy had deep family relationships and was an astounding mother to her three children.  

She enjoyed traveling and discovering new places with her husband, Jerry.  She was an avid reader and enjoyed her puzzles and word games.  Nancy delighted incooking meals for family and friends, she had a green thumb and loved to attend to her flowers and plants in her garden.  She preferred historical fiction shows, watching golf and college football (especially the Texas Longhorns) to pass her time. She scrap-booked and had put together many books full of memories for the family to continue to enjoy and reminisce over.

Nancy is survived by her husband Jerry Riggins; her son and daughter-in-law, Shawn and Anne Hays; her son Patrick DeSpain; her grandson, his wife and son, Garin and Brittany (Davis Ingles) Hays; and her granddaughter, her husband and two sons, Lauren and Tanner (Joseph and Joey) Croft.

Her extended family survivors include Jerry’s children and their spouses: Bruce and Darlene Riggins; Dena and Mike Skodinski; and Gayle and Ron Stewart.  

She is also survived by three sisters Barbara Preslar, Marie Nabors, and Bonnie Pedigo. Additionally, she has numerous nieces, nephews, stepchildren, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Our gratitude goes to all who have prayed, visited and cared for her throughout her life.

The family will be holding a service on Friday, May 19, 2023 at 10am at A E Carter Funeral Home in Madison, Georgia and a celebration of her life will take place at a later time.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research at https://give.michaeljfox.org/ or by mailing donations to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research Grand Central Station P.O. Box 4777 New York, NY  10163.

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