Avis S. Rigsby

Following the accidental death of her father, and while her mother assisted in the war effort, Avis lived at The Methodist Children’s Home, in Waco, Texas from age 7 to 14 before moving to San Francisco, where she graduated from George Washington High School. Avis tells a story about a project in school where they had to create a future invention. She came up with the idea of a phone you could carry around with you. Imagine that! She moved back to Houston before finally settling in Beaumont in 1959. Avis was a waitress at her mom’s cafe, Elsie's Cafe, where she met a young, handsome customer named Earl Rigsby. Dating led to marriage and together they raised four children. Avis worked for Rogers Enterprises. She was a woman of strong faith and a member of Forest Park Methodist. Avis shared her faith by being of service to others. You could never be around Avis and be hungry, she would certainly feed you a meal. From mending clothing to drawing handmade cards for family members, she was always thinking about how to make others feel special and loved.

Avis was a woman of many talents. She loved dancing, especially line dancing at the Beaumont Best Years Center. She enjoyed playing tennis, and was a member of the Roadrunner Bowling League. Avis enjoyed crafts such as drawing, knitting and painting, and she enjoyed preparing dishes such as her famous banana pudding. Her greatest love was her family, and she helped to raise her children and grandchildren. She was easy going yet firm, never afraid to lay down the law when necessary. She was a great listener, gracious, and above all, loving.

Avis is survived by her sister Mavis Russell; brother Dalton Davis; daughter Chriss Kidwell; sons, William (Debbie) Rigsby, Michael (Ragena) Rigsby, and Matthew (Sharon) Rigsby; grandchildren Shawn (Sarah) Kidwell, Andrea (Brandon) Slaydon, Nicki LaRocca, Christopher Cady, Stella (Eddie) Campbell, Matthew Phillips, Michele Rigsby, Amanda (Lane) Utkov, Victoria Mitchell, Olivia Rigsby; and great-grandchildren Addie Rose Kidwell, Charlotte Kidwell, Claire Slaydon, Daisy Slaydon, Trent Greer, Aiden Campbell, Mallorie Campbell, Jackson Utkov, and Max Utkov. Avis also has many nieces, nephews, & loved ones she leaves behind.

Avis is preceded in death by her husband Earl Rigsby, father Fred Davis, mother Elsie Allie Hext Davis, sister Maxine Rose Vetrano, brother Tommy Davis, and grandchildren Erik Rigsby and Katie Phillips.

There are no public services scheduled for Avis at this time. Avis loved her years at the Waco Methodist Home because of the care given to her and her siblings. The kindness and selfless donations of others during that time is something that she has always remembered. For that reason, the family has designated The Methodist Children’s Home www.mch.org for memorial contributions.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.forestlawnmpfh.com for the Rigsby family.