Geraldine (Gunn) Riggins

Geraldine (nee, Gunn) Riggins, 94, of Belleville, Illinois, formerly of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at Benedictine Living Community – at the Shrine in Belleville.

Geraldine, one of 11 children, was born Dec. 21, 1928, in Hendrickson, Missouri to Marion and Eva Mae (nee, Casey) Gunn. She was married to Orville Riggins, who preceded her in death in 2014.

During her early years Geraldine worked for Bussmann Fuse Company and later for J C Penney Clothing Store.  She also was a passionate seamstress. Geraldine was of the Nazarene faith and later attended Calvary Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff. She enjoyed sewing but her love was in making quilts. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family.

Survivors include her daughters, Brenda (Dennis) Segafredo and Cynthia Riggins and Shirley Hausman; her grandchildren, Geraldine (Kenneth) Barnett, Alvin (Barb) Jackson, Tonya Davidson Jackson, Greg Stein, April (Kenny) Fults, Anita Jackson, Denise (Heath) Cleek, and DeWayne Segafredo (Lorraine Davis);  a host of great grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; a brother Gene (Lois) Gunn; a sister Shirley McDougal, as well as a  host of nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews.

In addition to her husband Orville, Geraldine was preceded in death by her parents, a daughter Sandra Kay Jackson, a grandson Ricky Jackson and eight siblings.

A visitation will be from 5 to 7 pm Thursday, June 29, 2023, at Cotrell Willow Ridge Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff.  The funeral service will begin at 10:30 am Friday in the Chapel with Rev. Jim Schremp officiating.  A burial will follow at the Poplar Bluff City Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to The Esquiline (A Life Plan Community at the Shrine), 726 Community Drive, Belleville, IL 62223.

Cotrell Willow Ridge Funeral and Cremation Service is honored to serve the family of Geraldine Riggins.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.cwrfcs.com.