July 16, 1932 – February 17, 2023
On Friday, February 17, 2023, Dorothy Mae Riggins, of Petersburg, VA, departed this life at age 90. Dorothy Mae was born in Petersburg, VA on July 16, 1932, to the late James Putnam (Putney) Boone and Eva Riggins. She was preceded in death by her beloved aunt, Hattie; uncle, Troy; and cousin, Thurman Massenburg.
Dorothy leaves in the Lord’s care: her beloved children, Eloise M. Boone of Maryland, Hazel Wilson, Larry A. Riggins (Cheryl), Vanessa Wynn (William) all of Petersburg, VA, Valencia Riggins-Simms (John) of Maryland, Hattie Riggins, Cynthia Rose, and Lamont Riggins all of Petersburg, VA; nineteen grandchildren; twenty-seven great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends.
Dorothy Mae was educated in the Petersburg Public School System. She was employed by Continental Can Factory and Home Health Care in her later years in Petersburg, Dinwiddie and Prince George, VA. In her young adulthood, Dorothy Mae briefly relocated to Alexandria, VA for a better life with her cousin, Tina.
Dorothy Mae graciously accepted the Lord Jesus Christ along her life journey and enjoyed member-fellowship at New Community (TLB Church), Crusade for Christ COGIC (Truth and Deliverance Ministries), and Good Shephard Baptist Church before her health declined.
Dorothy Mae the Matriarch, also affectionally known as Dr. Nae, loved and enjoyed arranging flowers, crocheting, decorating her immaculate home, cooking and baking her famous apple and sweet potatoes pies. She was a lady of fashion and absolutely loved pretty sparkling things and if it didn’t meet her expectation, you better believe she would surely let you know that she wasn’t going to wear it. Her skin was so beautiful, soft and smooth with high cheek bones and bluish grey eyes. She had a “pretty brown fine frame”, as she jokingly stated, with bowlegs and all. She was simply Beautiful and wonderfully made by God.
Dorothy Mae will always be the first to tell you, “You gained weight, ooh child look at those hips on you!” and had no couth in telling you. She loved traveling with her most favorite place being Disney World (because of the huge turkey legs). Most of all, she loved her children and grand/great-grandchildren. She had an empathic/giving heart and always gave unconditionally, assuring no one went without.
We can hear her our beautiful mother now singing one of her favorite songs, “When the Lord Get Ready, You Gotta Move.” The Lord called and momma moved after putting up an honorable fight with Alzheimer’s and Chronic Kidney Disease. She was a strong, feisty, God-fearing woman.
Services will be held 11:00 A.M., Friday, February 24, 2023, at Good Shepherd Baptist Church, 2223 South Crater Road, Petersburg, VA, Bishop Jeffrey L. Reaves, Sr., Pastor and Bishop Thomas L. Blanding, eulogist. The interment to follow at Wilkerson Memorial Cemetery.
J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, watch the funeral services live online at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.