Betty Holder Rigsby

Betty Jane Holder Rigsby, age 89, of the Allisona Community of College Grove, TN, passed away Saturday, July 6, 2024. She was born March 15, 1935 in Rutherford County, TN near Eagleville to Fate C. Holder and Mattie Ramsey Holder. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers William "Billy" Holder and Felix Holder.

 Betty graduated from Eagleville High School, Class of 1953. She married her high school sweetheart, Merkle Rigsby, on August 8, 1953. In October 1956, they became partners with JW & Lorene Rigsby, and Jesse & Mary Rigsby in Rigsby Brothers Grocery, Garage, and Construction Co. in Allisona, TN, and operated the business for 60 years.

Betty loved the Lord and her family most of all. She loved cooking and feeding loved ones, and never let anyone go hungry. She made countless famous bologna sandwiches over the years at Rigsby Brothers. Betty spent many Sundays fishing on the lake, with her prize catch being an alligator gar from Kentucky Lake. She visited every US state except for Alaska and Hawaii. Betty also chaperoned many young family members to rock-n-roll concerts and trips to Opryland.

Betty is survived by her loving husband of 70 years, Merkle Rigsby, and two sons, Doug (Donna) Rigsby of College Grove, TN and Alan (Delora) Rigsby of Rockvale, TN. She is also survived by five grandchildren; Paul (Rachel) Rigsby, Candice Rigsby, Lauren Rigsby (fiancé Mike Leyva), Heather (Zachary) Virgin, and Samantha Rigsby; three great-grandchildren, Simone Halko, Ramsey Rigsby, and Genevieve Virgin; Betty was a “Second Mama” to Steve Rigsby and several other nieces and nephews.

Visitation with the family will be on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 from 4 PM – 8 PM at Lawrence Funeral Home. The Graveside service will be on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at 11 AM at Cothran Cemetery, 896 Haunt Hollow Road, Rockvale, TN 37153. Interment will follow the service.

 LAWRENCE FUNERAL HOME and CREMATION SERVICES, Chapel Hill, TN, 364-2233, (www.lawrencefuneral.net) in charge of arrangements.