Betty Jo Riggle

Betty Jo Cross Riggle, 82, passed away peacefully Saturday, June 22, 2024, surrounded by her beloved family. Also known as “Bebba”, especially to her grandchildren, death came after five years of bravely confronting Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and blood cancer. Betty Jo was born in Washington, Pennsylvania, at home on Wednesday, November 26, 1941. She was the only child of James Ardis Cross and Sylvania Dale Wilson Cross who preceded her in death. She attended Washington City Schools through tenth grade, then transferred to Trinity High School for her junior and senior years, graduating in 1959. Mrs. Riggle graduated from the Washington Hospital School of Nursing and received her nursing diploma in June 1962. Following graduation, marriage, and a short honeymoon she began work in the Washington Hospital operating room for several years and in other nursing positions at the hospital. In later life, she worked for Nutrisystem as a weight loss counselor in the 1980s. Additionally, she was employed at Thomas Campbell Senior Citizens Center, serving as Program Director until her retirement from that position in 1995. She served for several years on the Thomas Campbell Senior Citizen Center Board of Directors, retiring from the Board in 2022 On Sunday, June 17, 1962, Betty Jo Cross united in marriage with the true love of her life, Charles W. Riggle (Chuck) at the former Second Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The wedding ceremony was performed by Reverend A. C. Young. Following the wedding and church reception, the newlyweds took a week’s honeymoon to Virginia, visiting Skyline Drive, Charlottesville, Monticello, and Virginia Beach. Mrs. Riggle was an active 65-year member of Fairhill Manor Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), successor to the Second Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Betty Jo served Fairhill Manor well in many capacities. She was a Deacon, Elder, Official Board and Congregation Secretary, a member of the Bereavement Committee and the annual Spaghetti Dinner Committee. Additionally, she was a very dedicated participant of the Bethany Sunday School Class and took part in their many activities for nearly 60 years. Mrs. Riggle was a woman with very strong convictions regarding her life. She was an extremely positive person when dealing with the many issues she encountered, She was beautiful physically and possessed great inner beauty as well. Her captivating smile and quiet demeanor complimented her relationships with others. If you were fortunate enough to know Betty Jo, be assured that you were a friend for life. Betty Jo and her husband, Chuck, enjoyed 62 years of “wonderful togetherness” spending much time doing things they both enjoyed. They were quite simply each other’s best friend and soulmate. Some of her many activities were reading voraciously, traveling to various beach locations, especially Ocean City Maryland, birdwatching, and going tent and trailer camping in the mountains. A once in a lifetime trip to Hawaii to celebrate 50 years of marriage was a real travel highlight in 2012. Other enjoyable activities included train travel to Florida to visit family, going to her children and grandchildren’s many sporting activities, watching California University of Pennsylvania men’s and women’s basketball games, following West Virginia University’s sports activities, cooking at home and dining out, spending quiet evenings at home enjoying conversation and interacting with her husband and the family feline, “Noodle,” going to amateur musical programs in the area and having daily morning coffee with Chuck. Betty Jo was truly family oriented and really enjoyed family gatherings during the holidays as well as other special occasions. Family was of utmost importance to her, and she cherished the many opportunities to gather. Her life was all about family! Surviving Betty Jo are her husband, Chuck; two children, son Charles A. (Erin) Riggle of Parkland, Florida, and daughter Jodi R. (Steve) Barlow of Washington; and four grandchildren, all girls, Mackenna Riggle and Camden Riggle of Parkland, Florida, Brooke Barlow of Washington and Eliza Barlow Shrontz of West Alexander. Mrs. Riggle requested that her body be cremated with no viewing or formal service. A family gathering in her honor will be scheduled for later this year. Memorial contributions may be designated to the Fairhill Manor Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Stained Glass Fund, 351 Montgomery Avenue, Washington, PA 15301. Arrangements are entrusted to William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd.