Obituary of Metta J Riggle

Metta Jean McPherson Riggle won her ten year battle with Parkinson’s disease and went to be with her Lord and Savior on February 17, 2019.  Metta was born in Wheeling County, WV on February 24, 1939.  She grew up in West Virginia and Pennsylvania, graduating from West Alexandria High School of West Alexandria, PA in 1957.  She married Ralford B. Riggle on January 20, 1959.  Together they moved their family to Houston, TX in 1964.  In 1968, they built a house in Pearland, TX and made it their home until 2012 when Metta moved to Orange County, TX to be near her daughter and son-in-law.

Metta was incredibly talented and gifted.  She began sewing and sketching when she was very young and carried it through her adult life.  As an adult, she learned to oil paint, decorate cakes, make ceramics and whatever else she could find to create.  She became an instructor with JC Penney, teaching numerous students the love of cake decorating.  She was also an avid gardener and animal lover.  She expressed her love for Jesus through her care for her family, friends and strangers and especially for her husband in his finally years.

Metta is preceded in death by her husband, Ralford, of 48 years; her mother, Thelma McPherson and her brother, Earnest Culley, Jr.  She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Dennis Parsley of Mauriceville, TX; her son and daughter-in-law, James D. and Tammy Riggle of Sparta, TN; grandson, Nathan Landolt of Houston, TX; grandson and granddaughter-in-law Seth and Jill Landolt of Wylie, TX; grandson, Tyler Riggle of Sparta, TN; sister and brother-in-law Glenda and William Craig of Claysville, PA; numerous nieces and nephews and other extended family and friends.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Saturday, February 23, 2019, at Clayton Funeral Home, 5530 W. Broadway, Pearland, TX.  A celebration of Metta’s life will follow at 11:00 AM in the chapel.  Interment will follow at Woodlawn Garden of Memories Cemetery in Houston. 

Memorials may be made to Houston Area Parkinson Society (2700 SW Freeway #296, Houston, TX 77098).

Special thanks are extended by the family to Tara McLain, Karla Trevino, Corina Jacks, Katherine Cummings, Elester Gales, Traci Fussell and Andrew Strawser for their loving care of Metta.