Gaither "Junior" Riggs, 84, died Wednesday, March 11, 2020 at Cumberland Medical Center .

Born in Rhea County, Tennessee on August 12, 1935, Junior w as the son of the late Gaither Lee and Ruthie Pauline Frye Riggs Sr. . He moved from Florida back to the Rhea County community in 1979.  Junior enjoyed his grandchildren, Christian bluegrass music and birdwatching. He also played many games of solitaire and checkers. Junior studied his Bible daily and was a member of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Grandview.

He was preceded in death by his wife Beatrice M. Riggs, son Tony Riggs, brothers Edgar, Roy, Johnny and James Riggs and sisters Hazel and Hattie Riggs , Lillie Mae Cox and Mamie Brown .

S urvivors include his children Vickie Rose Goodwin of California, Cindy Lou Watkins of Grandview and Eugene Allen Riggs of Avon Park, Florida , sisters Marie Lemons of Crossville and Ma nd y Dinkins of Cookeville, nine grandchildren and several great grandchildren.

Funeral services are Sund ay, March 15 , 2020 at 2:00 pm in the chapel of Vaughn Funeral Home with Rev. Charles Erickson officiating .  Interment will be in the Mt. Zion Cemetery in Grandview.  The family will receive friends Sun day from 12:00 p m to 2:00 p m at Vaughn Funeral Home.

Vaughn Funeral Home, Spring City, Tennessee, is in charge of arrangements.  Please share your condolences and memories of Gaither "Junior" Riggs on our website www.vaughn-funeral-home.com .