Dorothy Riggens

Precious Memories

Dorothy Jean Riggens

As beautiful as a rose to see was her life, she lived so gracefully. She made things precious by her touch; her selfless love lives on in each of us. The petals of her life fell one by one, each a gift of her heart till there were none. Yet her radiance blooms once again in fields of glory with no end.

Dorothy Jean Riggens was born on June 16, 1953, in Marianna, Arkansas to her parents, Katie L. Smith and Edward Smith.  She was the only child born in the family.  As a child, she enjoyed playing jack rocks with her mother.  While attending Cole Junior High School, she won a Jack Rock competition.  She also attended Manuel High School both schools located in Denver, Colorado.

In 1970, Dorothy wed, Charles E. Riggens in Denver, Colorado.  The exchanged vows in the home of her mother.  A fond memory was that of them visiting Germany.  To this union, Charles Jr. and Theresa were born.  She was also the proud mother of Virgil and Bobbie.  They all have so many precious and memorable moments of time spent and shared together.  One of which include them dining out and shopping together.  She was later blessed with eleven grandchildren, Stephone, Jamal, Charles III, Danielle, Janee, Trevon, Janece, Donavon, Kirida, Dante, DeShawn; thirteen great grandchildren; and one great great grandchild, who all were an additional source of joy and pride in her life.  They lovingly called her “Gran dig or Granny Great” and fondly remember all the life lessons she taught them.

By profession, Dorothy was employed as a Dietician working at National Jewish Hospital.  She was hard-working, dedicated, and performed her duties with a spirit of excellence.  They fondly remember her skill and expertise in making fruit trees.  She retired after many years of faithful and dedicated service.

Dorothy was a fun-loving woman, who enjoyed life and those she encircled.  In her free time, she enjoyed taking a flight to Las Vegas and visiting the “Hills” of Colorado to gamble and playing on her I Pad.  Her closest friends, Mary Alice Pruitt Richardson and Esther Taylor will miss the many comraderies they all shared together and the fact that she was a true and trusted friend.  She was the type of person who never met a stranger and loved everyone unconditionally.  To know Dorothy was to love her.

Dorothy Jean Riggins departed this life on April 30, 2022, in Denver, Colorado. Those left to cherish her memory and mourn her loss include 2 sons, Virgil L. Richardson of Aurora, Colorado, and Charles E. Riggens, Jr., of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: 2 daughters, Bobbie L. Vaughns of Denver, Colorado and Theresa A. Riggens of Austin, Texas; 11 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; 1 great great grandchild; and host other relatives and many friends.