It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Nancy Jeanne Riggins. Her life was well lived and she was well loved! She passed away in a peaceful manner, with family by her side on November 4, 2021, in her 78th year.

She was born in San Francisco on August 25, 1943. She is preceded in death by her parents, Edith and Howard Mayer and Donald Irwin as well as her sisters, Patricia Qvist and Sandra Irwin, all of California. She is survived by her brothers, Michael Irwin and his spouse Mary, John Mayer and his partner Sally, Steve Mayer and his spouse, Lisa and her sister Judy Perry, all of California.

Nancy was the beloved wife and best friend to the late Charles Marion Riggins, Sr.  who she married on September 16, 1967. Together they migrated across the country from California and finally settled in Springdale, Arkansas where they purchased their home in 1975. They remained together until his passing on March 16, 1997.

She was a loving mother to her five children: Toni Le Compte, Jimmy Riggins, Chuck Riggins, Debi Schatz and her spouse, George, all of Arkansas and Doug Riggins, and his spouse Cass Tyson of Texas.

Nancy was the perfect grandmother of Melissa, Tasha, Kari, Felicia, Samantha, Michael, Cody, Arrow, Jake, Cole and Josie. She cherished her role of great-grandmother to 16 children as well. She will also be remembered by her many nieces and nephews and cousins that filled her life with laughter and love.

This gentle, loving, caring and wonderful woman has left a permanent mark etched on our hearts and will be supremely missed. Family was the pivotal essence of Nancy’s life. She was proud and honored to be the matriarch to her large family. She was a major presence in their lives. Nancy will be forever remembered for her adventurous spirit, contagious laugh, caring heart, and unconditional love.  Although our hearts are heavy, we will celebrate her life and remain thankful for the memories she gave us. She lived a full life and has left a lasting legacy.

The family would like to thank all the health care professionals at Washington Regional Medical Center for their great care. They are sincerely grateful to the wonderful staff who comforted and cared for her in her last days.

Visitation: Beard’s Funeral Chapel (855 S Happy Hollow Rd in Fayetteville, AR) on November 11, 2021 from 5p-7p.

Service: Beard’s Funeral Chapel on November 12, 2021 from 11:30a-12:15p

Burial: Fayetteville National Cemetery Pavilion (1000 S Lt Col Leroy Pond Ave, Fayetteville, AR) on November 12, 2021 from 12:30p-12:45p. This will be a duel ceremony for Nancy and Charles as his ashes will be placed in her casket to grant their wishes of resting together for eternity.

Nancy loved live plants and was a loyal, longtime member of the Arbor Day Foundation, so in lieu of flowers, we would be honored if you would plant a tree in her memory.