Published: September 01, 2009 09:58 pm      

Florene L. Riggs

March 7, 1925 - Aug. 31, 2009

Florene L. Riggs, 84, Sharpsville, passed away at 1 p.m. Monday, Aug. 31, 2009, to forever walk in fields of blooming flowers, at her granddaughter’s home in Sharpsville. She was born March 7, 1925, in Hickory Flat, Benton County, Miss., to Ellis R. and Sallie (Denim) Lewis. She married J.D. Riggs in Blythville, Ark., and he preceded her in death in 2006, after 64 years of marriage.

She has lived for one year with her granddaughter, Penny and husband Mike Burnett, with her loving family around her. She was a member of Pine Grove Baptist Church, Hickory Flat, Miss. She was an avid gardener and loved animals.

Survivors include daughter, Barbara and husband Charles Tharp, Kokomo; six grandchildren and their spouses, Bruce and wife Lynn Tharp, Penny and husband Mike Burnett, Christi and husband Bobby Walter, Carol and husband Doug Sears, Charlie and wife Shana Tharp, and Michael and wife Christy Tharp; 19 great-grandchildren; two step-grandsons; seven great-great-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; one sister and brother-in-law, Louise and Sam Norris, Ashland, Miss.; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Ellis “Bill” Lewis; and two grandsons, Jacob Tharp and Timothy Tharp.

Services are 2 p.m. Thursday at Boyer Funeral Home, Sharpsville. Missionary Marsha Campbell will officiate. Burial will be in Ashland Cemetery, Ashland, Miss. Visitation will be from noon until service time Thursday at the funeral home.

Boyer Funeral Home, Sharpsville, handled arrangements.