Madelyn J. Riggins

Madelyn “Juanita” Buggs was born in Malden, Massachusetts on August 5, 1938, to William and Edna Buggs. She was the oldest of 2 children born to this union. Madelyn attended and graduated from Malden School system.

Juanita accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age and was baptized at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Malden, MA.

Juanita joined the U.S Marine Corps, where she met and married Donald B. Riggins Sr., of Indianapolis, Indiana, to this union they had a son Donald B. Riggins Jr.

Juanita continued to work in government service at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis, IN and the Internal Revenue Service in Boston, Massachusetts, where she retired after 30 plus years of government service.

Juanita lived most of her life between Malden, MA and Indianapolis, IN. Moving to Indianapolis in 2006 for the second time, she changed her church membership to Zion Hope Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Tony McGee. Her mission was to advance the kingdom of God through evangelism discipleship and service. Throughout her adult life and due to her faith, she took God at his word and became involved in feeding the hungry, visiting the sick and nursing homes, trying to spread the good news that Jesus Christ saves.

Juanita enjoyed a full life of traveling, volunteering, dining out with family and friends, reading, family gatherings with lots of love, laughter and conversations.

Juanita is preceded in death by her son Donald B. Riggins Jr., she leaves to cherish her memories is sister Carolyn Johnson of Arizona, grandsons, Sean D. Riggins, Trent Riggins, Hayden Hudzik, daughter-in-law Ka’Ron Riggins, nephew Michael Johnson (Emma) of Arizona, niece Michelle Baker, grand-nephew Jabari Bennett of Missouri, special cousin Vera Simpson, partners in prayer Millie Elliott, June Garnett, Arnet Harris and other relatives and friends.

A memorial gathering for Madelyn will be held Wednesday, April 19, 2023, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Crown Hill Funeral Home & Cemetery, 700 W. 38th St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46208, followed by a memorial service at 1:00 PM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.crownhill.org for the Riggins family.