Grace Barron Riggs
“Do all the good you can, to all the people you can, for as long as you can.” – Grace’s teacher
Grace was born on July 17, 1931 to O.H. Barron and Eola Clark Barron at their home in Evergreen, Louisiana. She had a sister and a brother that didn’t survive childbirth. She was especially close to her grandparents, and her faith in Jesus was encouraged by her family. She and her Granddaddy Clark would discuss the Bible and sing hymns. Grace accepted Christ as her Savior when she was 8 years old. Grace began school in Bunkie, LA then moved with her family to Dayton, TX for 2nd – 9th grades, and finished her high school diploma in Sour Lake, TX in 1949. She met her future husband, Kenneth Riggs, at Sour Lake Baptist Church, and they were married Dec. 29, 1949.
In 1951, Kenneth and Grace moved to Humble, TX. In the early 1950s, as a Texaco employee, Kenneth was able to purchase surplus property in the Humble area. It was on this property that Kenneth and his oldest brother Hal began to build their first homes. During the early 1960s, he developed the property now known as the Riggs subdivision and named the street after his wife, Grace. Grace worked at Dr. Younts’s dental office, and then family doctor Dr. Panzarella’s office. On September 7, 1954, their daughter, Cynthia Gail was born. She was deeply loved by her parents.
In 1959, Grace and Kenneth were excited to welcome their second daughter, Patricia Gay to the family. Gay was born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) which presented many challenges for the family from the moment she was born. Grace’s courage, faith, and love for her family were evident as she served her family by cooking, sewing, teaching Sunday school and planning family trips. When the girls got older, the family spent many summers camping at Garner State Park, often bringing friends along to share the fun. Grace and her family enjoyed many trips across the United States pulling a camper behind their station wagon!
Because of the many obstacles Grace faced due to Gay’s OI, she became an advocate for OI education and research that benefitted her daughter and many other families. In 1976, a group of families began an OI Foundation chapter with Grace serving as the Area Coordinator. Grace was a master at getting media attention – even getting July 9, 1976 declared “OI Day for the City of Houston” and organizing many family picnics and meetings for the organization. Grace served on the OIF Board of Directors from 1978-1984, was the organization’s first vice president in 1979, and selected as president in 1980-1982. She advocated for and encouraged many families in Houston and around the world by sharing Gay’s OI experiences. She was especially concerned that children with OI were being labeled “learning disabled” based on their appearance. Grace and Gay challenged Humble ISD to provide a “home-bound student” option, and Gay was one of the first recipients, enabling her to earn her high school diploma. Grace desired that both her children would have the opportunity to pursue a quality education and the careers of their dreams.
Faith and family were always Grace’s top priorities. In 1980, her grandson Ryan was born, and she had the privilege of caring for him since Gail’s family lived on Grace Lane. Grace’s parents also lived on the same street. In 1982, Grace became a widow when her husband Kenneth died from brain cancer. In 1985 Grace’s father died, and her mother moved in with her and Gay. Grace’s grandson Rhett was born in 1986, adding another blessing to her life. Grace enjoyed having her family close, treasuring the time together sharing meals, carpools, and reading the Bible. Her strong faith in Jesus enabled her to encourage others and share God’s love wherever she went. Every errand or appointment was an opportunity to share what the Lord was doing in her life, and ask “Do you have your reservations?” or “Will you go to heaven when you die?” Grace loved reading her Bible and learning more about her Savior. She was a member of Bible Study Fellowship for over 20 years, in addition to being an active church member. Her home was always open for friends and family to share a meal and fellowship. After being active in the Humble community for 70+ years, Grace was blessed to have many wonderful friends and neighbors who have supported each other through the good and bad times.
Grace has had her own medical challenges including surviving breast cancer, losing nearly all her vision, and undergoing heart valve replacement. Through it all, she trusted God’s plan for her family and has been a witness to God’s faithfulness and love. She often said, “Lord, don’t let me miss Your purpose.” Grace depended on God in difficult times, and because God sustained her through so much, she could encourage others who were suffering. After Gay died in November 2020, Grace began counting the days until the rapture or until God called her home to heaven. God finally did call her home on May 15, 2022, and now she is rejoicing with God’s children in heaven! She would love to know that you will join her there. So…do you know Jesus? Do you have your reservations? Do it today!
Grace is survived by her daughter Gail Arredondo and husband Ron; grandson Ryan Rhodes, wife Kristen and children Drew, Riley, Reagan, Kirby and Blake; grandson Rhett Rhodes; and many dear relatives and friends who truly miss her, but are comforted in knowing that she is in heaven. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the ministry of your choice that shares the gospel of Jesus Christ.

John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
John 15:12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

Gay used to say she was going to take up tennis when she got to heaven. Grace would respond that she was going to take up ice skating!