Mrs. Fern Tharrington Riggs

Fern Tharrington Riggs, 81, of High Point passed away on Saturday, November 14, 2015 surrounded by her loving family.  Born December 8, 1933 in Franklin County, NC, she is the daughter of the late Joseph Cary Tharrington and Hallie Smith Tharrington.  Fern attended Louisburg College, graduated cum laude from Wake Forest University and completed a year of post grad study at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Fern was a caseworker at Baptist Children’s Home in Thomasville until becoming a mother and homemaker, during which time she was a favorite substitute teacher at the schools her children attended.  Fern also enjoyed a later career as a real estate agent for over 20 years.  Throughout her life in High Point, Fern was an active and faithful member of Green Street Baptist Church.
Fern is survived by her husband of 57 years, John C. Riggs;  daughters, Beth Batchelor and husband Bob of Charlotte and Rebecca Lockhart and husband Jeff of Raleigh; four grandchildren, Rebecca Batchelor, Katharine Batchelor, John Riggs Lockhart and Lauren Lockhart.  Also surviving are three brothers, Harold Tharrington and wife Carolyn of Smithfield, Joe Tharrington and wife Linda of Louisburg and Fred Tharrington of Raleigh.

The memorial service for Fern will be held at 2:00 pm Sunday, November 22, 2015 at Green Street Baptist Church with visitation immediately following.  Burial services will take place at 1:00 pm at Floral Garden Memorial Park.  

The family would like to express their deep gratitude to Fern’s friend and caregiver of three years, Beatrice Williams, for her dedicated and compassionate service.  They also extend special thanks to the staffs of Home Instead and Hospice of the Piedmont for their kind and caring support.  The family requests that memorials be made to Green Street Baptist Church Building Fund, 1701 Westchester Drive, Suite 620, High Point, NC  27262 or Hospice of the Piedmont, 1801 Westchester Drive, High Point, NC  27262.    

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