Ilene Riggs

“The will of God will not take us where the grace of God cannot sustain us. “

Billy Graham

On Saturday September 25th, 2021, our beloved mother, grandmother, aunt and friend was gently carried into Jesus’ loving arms peacefully after a long battle with cancer.  She joins her late husband Bob Frank Riggs; sister, Maxine Crites; brother, Jesse Gibbs and daughter-in-law, Laurie Riggs.

Ilene Louise Gibbs was born November 7th, 1926 to Gladys Pauline and Jesse Oliver Gibbs in Kansas City, MO.  Ilene was the oldest of her two siblings, Maxine and Jesse.   She spoke fondly of her relationship with her father whom she admired and made beautiful clothes for her and her sister Maxine growing up.

Ilene married Bob Frank Riggs in 1948.  She was a stay-at-home mom and leaves behind two sons, Bob Stephen Riggs and Thomas Earl Riggs.

She is also survived by her grandchildren: Laura A. Gibbs, Martha H. Cromwell and Thomas Ian Riggs and great-grandchildren: Ashton Thomas Gibbs, Mallory Diane Cromwell and Mark Andrew Cromwell.

A funeral service to celebrate her life will be 12:00pm Saturday October 2, 2021 at the Johnson County Funeral Chapel, 11200 Metcalf Ave.   Burial will follow in Johnson County Memorial Gardens.