Dottie (Riggins) Harper

Mrs. Dottie Riggins Harper, age 90, of Blackshear, passed away Monday morning (1/2/23) at her residence following an extended illness. 

Born June 12, 1932, in Blackshear, she was a daughter of the late Nicholas Lawton & Ocie Dixon Riggins.  She lived most of her life in Pierce and Ware Counties and was a graduate of Blackshear High School.  Dottie was a homemaker for many years as she raised her five girls.  Later she went to work as a Postal Clerk with the Waycross Post Office where she retired in 1985.  After retiring, she volunteered as a Pink Lady with the Pierce County Nursing Home Auxiliary where she loved and cared for many of the residents there.     

A dedicated member of First Baptist Church in Blackshear, she had attended the Alathean Sunday School Class, the JOY Group, a member of the WMU; served many years on the Benevolence Committee, along with several other activities and committees over the years. 

Dottie's greatest joy in life was making wonderful meals, taking care of her family, and serving others in the community.  She will be missed terribly by her family and friends.  

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Milton Francis Harper; a sister, Waunella Tuten; and all ten of her brothers, B. Fay Riggins, Alvin Riggins, Virgil Riggins, R. C. Riggins, twins, Edgar & Edwin Riggins, Harold Riggins, Riley Riggins, Ray Riggins, and Rastus Riggins. 

Survivors include her 5 daughters: Mary Frances Cain of Blackshear, GA, Connie Hereford (husband Warren) of White Oak, GA, Vicky Strickland (husband Terry) of Waycross, Christy Williams (husband Charles) of Bluffton, S.C., Nancy Smith (husband Hal) of Statesboro, GA and one “adopted daughter,” Sherry Lairsey of Blackshear; 14 grandchildren: Brea Mead (husband Mason), Joey Tison, Alicia Tison, Leah Southerland (husband A.J.), Lott Hereford (wife Katie), Caroline Fuhrmann (husband Richard), Jake Strickland (wife Heather), John Strickland, Cary Williams, Shawn Neal (husband Chip), Brandon Barber, Natalie Barber, Allison Dampier (husband David), and Ashlie Smith; 25 great grandchildren; 1 sister, Ferrell Bryant (husband Charles) of Blackshear; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives.  

A funeral service will take place Thursday morning (1/5/23) at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Hart Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Blackshear City Cemetery. 

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday one hour prior to the service. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice Satilla, 808 Evergreen Way, Waycross, Georgia 31501 or to First Baptist Church of Blackshear, 670 Main Street, Blackshear, Georgia 31516.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www.hartfh.com. 

Hart Funeral Home of Blackshear is in charge of arrangements. 

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