Obituary
Toby (Herrin) Riggs, 82, of Lee’s Summit passed away May 12, 2021. Funeral services will be 10:30 am Saturday May 22, 2021 at Langsford Funeral Home with visitation prior to service from 9:00 – 10:30 am. Burial in Lee’s Summit Cemetery. She was preceded in death by her parents Marjorie 1997, Dorman 1999 also with her loving husband Jerry in 2006.
She was born Aug. 3, 1938, as a young girl she was raised in the KC area. She enjoyed her Dancing Performances on stage a few times at Starlight Theatre with other dancers her age. She made friends easily, had a good personality and was liked by many. She graduated 1956 from Southeast High School and took some classes at Longview College with her sister 18 yrs. Younger. They had fun doing it together.
Jerry and Toby met June 1, 1954 at Fairyland Amusement Park with rides and a nice pool. They began dating 1955 and going steady. In the year of 1956 Jerry joined the Marines, they were Married (June 1, 1957) for 49 ½ years. He was stationed in N. Carolina where they spent some happy times and mad many new Marine friends.
They had their 1st home in Belton. They loved their 2nd home in KC and the handy location on 90th street. They both enjoyed their son’s friends and they were welcome anytime. They moved to their final home in Lee’s Summit and their sons had moved on with their lives, but still stayed close. They celebrated their 50th Herrin Family Reunion in 2018 with their “Circle of Love” holding hands, how neat was that?
She kept busy with her son’s schools: Boone, Center High School activities. Toby was PTA President, Head of Cub Scout Den Mothers, charge of School Carnivals, Santa for Christmas, helped school nurse and school office a few times. Attended Cub Scout baseball games Jerry was Coach and Scout Master. Toby and Jerry square danced with the “Swinging Squares” for years and made life-time friends. She helped at Veterans Hospital as a “Sunshine Lady” and a “United Way Clown.” They both did water skiing, snow skiing and ice skating. They loved vacations, trailer camping with their families and our pets. Toby was in several ladies’ fun groups the” Red Hatters” her favorite 50/55 yrs. Or older. She enjoyed doing Holiday decorating, her grandchildren loved it especially at Christmas time.
Toby is survived by her 3 sons, 3 daughter-in-law’s, 9 Grandchildren and 10 Great-Grandchildren that God blessed them with. She was a fun lady and a devoted wife, mother and her sister’s families were Gods gift to her. Todd, Kathy and Ali Riggs; Jered, Tiffany, Lorelai Riggs and Malekai Townsend, Shane and Laurie Riggs, Dustin, Lauren and Athena Riggs; Lacy Ramsey and Brian Thomas, fiance, Cayden and Calli Ramsey; Trent and Lisa Riggs; Jeremy, Lyric, Ryder Riggs; Miranda Riggs, Jedidiah Liddell, Luna and Judah; Sydney, Savanna, Ashlyn Thomas and Piper Taylor. Her sister the Enke’s; Cherree, Gary, Austin, Paxtin . Nieces and nephews: Matt and Leilani Mairet, Hunter, Zander and Levi; Makayla and Michael Cuevas and their sons, Gabriel and Micah. Jerry’s family; Janice and Larry Kent; Robin and Mike Spears; Joyce and Martin Reese, Justine and Casey Nelson, Matthew, Michael and Marshall Reece. A special friend and family member Charles Hancock and Toby spent many years together as companions sharing good times and making lasting memories. We are grateful for Charlie and his family for the love and warmth they showed Toby over the years.
Everyone was always welcome to her home for family gatherings and fun times. She enjoyed all her family and she left many fond memories of our special love, happiness and lives we shared together.
“THE BROKEN CHAIN”
We little knew that morning that God was going to call your name,
In Life we loved you dearly; in death we do the same.
It broke our hearts to lose you. You did not go alone,
For part of us went with you, the day God called you home.
You left us peaceful memories; your love is still our guide,
And though we cannot see you, you are always at our side.
Our family chain is broken and nothing seems the same.
But as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again.
Condolences
Visitation
Lee’s Summit, MO 64063
Services
Lee’s Summit, MO 64063
I was so sorry to hear of Toby’s passing. I graduated high school with Toby. She was always such a happy & cheerful person with those twinkling mischievous eyes. We had many fun times & I shall cherish those memories. Love you Toby, R.I.P.
We were surprised to hear of Toby’s quick passing. It is hard to believe that she has passed. It is always difficult to have a loved one pass. But we can all take comfort in knowing that she is very happy now as she is now with Jerry and with other family and friends who predeceased her. I can hear her excitement and exclamations when she was reunited with them! We will miss her. But one day we will see her again!
My deepest sympathy to those who had the honor of knowing the late Ms. Toby. She sounds like a wonderful woman that touched many lives. To those she loved and called family or friend may your hearts feel joy as you celebrate her life and share memories of her during this most difficult time of loss. May you feel less sadness by sharing in her life and celebrating the life she had and all she was blessed with by having you included in it. Find strength in one another and remember all the love she gave to each of you. Share in laughter and tears that need to be shed to honor and say farewell to Ms. Toby. She will be forever remembered in your heart and guide each of you in this next journey that you travel without her. Amen in her memory.
I am sorry for the loss of your mother….I remember Toby from working at Marion Labs and how happy and cheerful she always was….everyone liked her.
Toby was my friend and we worked together for many years at Marion Laboratories. She was always fun to be with, kind hearted, loved her family and many friends. We lived a few blocks apart, and there were many days I walked over to her house for a visit. She will be missed.
Toby and I worked together in the Library at Marion and had many good times together. She was a fun lady. My husband Bill and I also went to dinner with Toby and husband and had a good time. I also went to Toby’s house for lunch and her birthday party around her swimming pool after her retirement. I’m not in good health so will not be able to attend funeral but will always remember Toby and the good times we had together. I remember she talked of her family a lot and I could see there was a lot of love there.
My Sweet Aunt Toby, I will miss you. I will miss your lively spirit, your thoughtfulness, and your contagious laughter. You had a big impact on my life in all sorts of ways. You made the best chicken and dumplings I have ever tasted! You took care of me one day when I had the measles and you made it a fun day! On a more serious note, you represented me when my Dad died and I could not make it to the funeral. And, you and Charlie were there in the waiting room at KUMC when Mike had his procedure. The most impactful memory I have was one Christmas Eve when I was a little girl. We were at your house and you baked a cake and put candles on it and asked all of the kids to sing Happy Birthday to Jesus. At that moment I understood the meaning of Christmas. I have never forgotten that and think of you every year on Christmas Eve. You and Jerry raised my awesome cousins: Todd, Shane, and Trent – three really great guys! Your spirit will go on within all of the people you touched along your journey, and I have no doubt that there were many! Until we meet again, know that you will always be in my heart.
Sending love and condolences to all of the family and friends of Toby…
I have learned of a lot of former co-workers’ deaths, but Toby’s passing hit hard. I worked with Toby at Marion many years ago. I will never forget her constant smile and contagious laugh. My prayers are with all who loved her.
I worked with Toby at Marion Labs. So sorry for your loss. She was such a wonderful person and fun to be around.
I’m so sorry to learn of Toby’s passing. I worked with her in the Library at Marion Labs during good times and everyone felt her love and spirit.
Toby has been my sister-in-law for many years. This week I have thought so very much about her.We have shared several phone conversations in the last few months. One in particular will always be with me. I was able to thank Toby for all of the constant care and love she gave to my brother while he was so very ill. We shared an hour of wonderful thoughts and blessings. May Toby’s journey be joyful and full of awe as she is greeted by the love of her life !