Michelle Riggs

February 18, 1975 - January 11, 2022

Surrounded by family, Alison Michelle Riggs went home to the Lord in the early morning hours of January 11, 2022, after a hard-fought battle with Goblet Cell Carcinoma, a rare cancer. Born February 18, 1975, in Dallas, Texas to Marie E. Allison, Michelle had always had a determined and strong spirit. She accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age and was baptized at First Baptist Church in Paris, Texas. She was a longtime member of Eastern Hills Baptist Church in Garland, Texas and later at First Baptist Church in Rockwall, Texas. Michelle attended Aikin Elementary and Crockett Middle School in Paris, Texas and, after moving to Garland in 1989, she attended Brandenburg Middle School and South Garland High School, graduating in 1993. Michelle’s faith is what stood out about her cancer journey, which began in November 2019. She chose to journal her journey through social media as she had, for many years, kept up with family and friends through Facebook. Michelle has many longtime friendships, which she enjoyed spanning many decades from middle school through high school and beyond. Along with childhood friendships came newer friendships she developed through church, neighbors, work and her children’s lives. She always wanted her children to be involved and active and made attending their activities a priority in her life. She was a “Mama Bear” forever protecting her cubs but giving them the freedom to grow. Michelle was a social butterfly and loved being with people, always wanting to be a good friend. She loved helping others. Her smile and laugh were contagious. She would get so tickled at something that she couldn’t stop laughing. Her humor was infectious. Always the optimist, Michelle’s ventures led her to a position at Avnet where she met her husband, Justin Riggs. Michelle and Justin successfully blended their families and share five children together: Chelsey, Cody, Coree, Braxton and Asher. February 3, 2022 will mark their 5th wedding anniversary. In recent years, Michelle struggled from numerous autoimmune illnesses which took a toll on her health. However, she did not let her struggles define her and instead grew in her faith and found the peace, love, comfort and strength that only God can give through His Son Jesus Christ, our Lord and Redeemer. God was preparing Michelle for the battle of her life and also preparing her heart and strengthening her faith that she should be a shining light to her family and friends, pointing them to Jesus Christ, as she bore witness of His Grace, Mercy, Love, Forgiveness and Salvation and His Presence in her life. Michelle was a sweet, loving, compassionate soul and has been an example for each of us. She will be sorely missed and deeply grieved, yet those who love and know her, know that she stepped into Jesus’ arms at her last breath. She is free and in the Presence of the Lord. Hallelujah! Michelle was preceded in death by her grandfather: Donald U. Allison, grandmother: Mary Ethel (Dodd) Allison; uncle: Donald David Allison; aunt: Gloria D. (Allison) Garrison; cousin: Jeremie R. Allison; aunt: Brenda J. (Stillwell) Allison; and grandfather: E.D. Gilbert. Michelle is survived by her husband: Justin Riggs; children: Chelsey Clement, Cody Clement, Coree Clement, Braxton Riggs and Asher Riggs; mother: Marie E. Allison; sister: Angela B. Shaw and husband Stephen; niece: Chloe Mahaney and husband Brandon; great-niece: Brylie Mahaney; great-nephew: Peter Mahaney; grandmother: Barbara (Jones) Gilbert; and numerous relatives and friends. Michelle suffered a miscarriage in 2002 and in recent weeks talked about seeing her baby in Heaven. What a wonderful reunion she is having with loved ones who have gone before, and a glorious homegoing to be with Jesus Christ, Almighty God. We will see you soon, Sweetheart! We love you, Michelle! Funeral services will be held at 2:30pm, Monday, January 17, 2022, at First Baptist Church, 610 S. Goliad Street, Rockwall. Interment will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Monday at the church, prior to the funeral, beginning at 1:00pm.