Valerie Adair Hartman Riggs, 90, passed away on March 17, 2012 in Houston. She was born on September 23, 1921 to Lenora Angerstein Hartman and Arthur Hartman in Victoria. She graduated from Patti Welder High School and then received an Associates Degree from Victoria College. On July 22, 1941 she married Russell Ray Riggs after which they made their home in Victoria. After Ray returned home from Europe after World War II, they were co-owners of Riggs Motor Company in Victoria. After selling that enterprise, she worked for the Victoria Independent School District in pupil accounting for 20 years, retiring in 1982. Valerie was a life member of the Texas State PTA and held various offices in that organization. She was also a life-long member of the Trinity Lutheran Church serving in numerous positions within the church including Altar Guild. She was christened, confirmed, and married at Trinity Lutheran Church.
Valerie, along with her husband Ray (Class of ‘41), were long time supporters of Texas A & M University. She was an Aggie fan to the core. She was proud to have three grandsons as graduates of Texas A & M. Valerie was also an avid baseball fan starting at an early age as a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, then the Atlanta Braves and finally the Houston Astros.
She is survived by two daughters, Carole Riggs Daniel and her husband John of Houston and Ann Adair Riggs Essary and husband Derry also of Houston, a sister Marguerite Hartman De Bolt and husband Jim of Victoria, a brother Noble Hartman of Victoria, grandchildren Dr. Gracia Wynne Duncan (Robert) of Houston, Kenneth Reed Wynne Jr. (Ashley) of Houston, Shawna Riggs Degitz (Mark) of Montgomery, Kristin Riggs Hampsten (Phil) of Austin, Bryce Dean Essary (Elisabeth) of Orlando, Florida, Jordan C. Essary (Melissa) of Houston, and Ann Adair Essary Flynt (Bradley) of Athens, Ga. Valerie was also blessed with thirteen great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her father Arthur Hartman, mother Lenora Hartman, husband Russell Ray Riggs, and a son Ray Noble Riggs.
The family invites friends to join them at Colonial Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 21, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. to celebrate Valerie’s life.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 22, 2012 at 2 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church located at 106 North De Leon St, Victoria, with burial following at Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, Victoria. Pallbearers will be Barry Hartman, David Hartman, Reed Wynne, Bryce Essary, Jordan Essary, and Jacob Degitz. Honorary Pallbearers will be Noble Hartman and Jim De Bolt.
“When we are born, we cry and others rejoice. When we die, we rejoice and others cry.”
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