Jewell Virginia Hicks Rigsby

Rock Island resident Jewell Rigsby, age 95, was born July 20, 1929 in Bon Jellico Mountain, Williamsburg, Kentucky and died January 15, 2025 at her home following a brief illness.

Jewell grew up in a mining camp in Kentucky where life was hard, but she said she wouldn't have traded it for anything. A retired teacher of 33 years. She started out in a two-room schoolhouse where she taught the community children including her siblings. Later in life she met and married Fred Rigsby and moved to Rock Island, TN where they owned Rigsby Nursery and Landscaping. Jewell and Fred enjoyed dancing and spending time with family.

Jewell was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Junior Rigsby in 2014; parents Wesley C. Lovitt, Sr. and Elsie Cordell Lovitt; great-grandson, Daniel Earls and brothers, Darrel, A.C., and Wesley Lovitt, Jr.

She is survived by children, Patsy Surber, Robert "Bob" Hicks and Jeff (Robin) Rigsby all of Rock Island, TN and Jimmy (Carol) Rigsby of Morrison, TN; grandchildren, Shannan (Shawn) Earls, Amber Surber, Ashley Hicks, Joshua (Abbey) Hathcock, Tabitha (Daren) Oakley, Brandy (Jason) Rigsby and Shonda (Shane) Jacobs; a host of great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson, Wyatt Earls; sister, Beth Delk of Fort Myers, FL and brothers, John Lovitt and Roy ( Carolyn) Lovitt both of Cincinnati, OH.

She was a member of Fall City Baptist Church in Rock Island.

Funeral service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Friday, January 17, 2025 in High’s Chapel with Joey Spicer to officiate. Interment will follow at Mt. Pisgah Cemetery in White County. Visitation will be Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at High’s.

Online condolences may be made at www.highfuneralhome.com.

High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.