Reverend Fred Draper Riggins, Jr.

CLIMAX—Fred Draper Riggins, Jr., 83, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, April 2, 2018, at Moses Cone Hospital.

Visitation will be held at 2 PM on Sunday, April 8, at Eastern Gate Assembly of God with the memorial service following at 3 PM with Mark Riggins officiating.

Fred was born on May 25, 1934, to Alice and Fred Draper Riggins Sr., in Carrol County, Virginia. Even as a child, Fred “Draper” felt God’s hand upon him. He graduated from Jackson Memorial High School in 1953, where he met his high school sweetheart and lifelong wife of 64 years, Marjory “Margie” June Milgrim, who he called the joy of his life. This young couple lived with Fred’s parents, at first, before moving into a company house in Austinville, where he worked several years in the lead and zinc mines with his father. He completed a home-study course on electronics and then attended the Westinghouse School for Electronics.

In search of employment, Fred and Margie moved with their two young daughters, Susan and Nora, to Greensboro, NC, where their son, Mark, would later be born. He found work as a television and appliance repairman for several years until an opportunity arose for a vocational teaching position at Southeast High School. As he approached retirement age, the vocational program was discontinued, but he was blessed with a new position at Weaver Center in Greensboro which happened to be the only position for an electronics teacher in all of Guilford County. Fred and Margie were never rich in dollars, but never did without; God always met their needs. He was dearly loved by his students at both schools. He retired in May 1995 with 28 years of service.

After moving to North Carolina, this young family found a wonderful church to attend where Fred was elected to be a deacon. In August 1976, he was asked to serve as an interim pastor of the newly established Eastern Gate Assembly of God that started in Worth People’s house. He served as a charter member and pioneer pastor until his death on Monday morning, April 2, 2018.

Fred was a faithful and loyal Christian who loved singing, playing guitar and piano, as well as, writing songs and poems about God. He preached the Bible without compromise and was looking forward to going to Heaven. Margie says that she married one of the best husbands in the whole wide world. He was a wonderful husband, and most importantly, he and Margie loved God. They were each others’ one-and-only.

Fred is survived by his wife, Margie, daughter, Nora, son, Mark (Cindy), sister, Faye Hyatt (Tom), grandchildren: Jynnifer Smith (Michael), Stephen Loflin II, Stacey Ezell (Brian), Joshua Woolard, John M. Riggins,and Jason Peltier, great-grandchildren: Hope Loflin, Amilliana Scott, Rashaun Loflin, Hero Loflin, Matthew Ezell, Lauren Ezell, Blake Woolard, Eva Peltier, son-in-law, Joseph Peltier, and sister-in-law, Laura Riggins. He was preceeded in death by his parents, his brothers, Winston, John, and Dannie, his daughter, Susan Riggins Peltier, and his grandson, Samuel D. Riggins.

He will be greatly missed. A special thanks is given to the family, friends, Moses Cone Hospital, doctors, nurses, and George Brothers who helped him in his times of need.

Memorial contributions may be made to Eastern Gate Assembly of God P.O. Box 7763, Greensboro, North Carolina, 27417
 

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