Marion Staggers Riggs, 89, husband of Myrtle Hicks Riggs, died Wednesday, October 7, 2020, at McLeod Health Clarendon.
Born December 7, 1930, in Manning, he was a son of the late Nelson Monroe Riggs and the late Ellosie Smoak Riggs. Marion was a 1949 graduate of Manning High School and a 1954 graduate of the University of South Carolina where he was the Editor, USC Law Review, and President, Wig and Robe, from 1953 to 1954. He was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in 1953 and the Federal Bar in 1958. Marion was a US Army veteran of the Korean War and saw action at the DMZ and served as a JAG Officer. He clerked for the Honorable Clement F. Haynesworth, United States Court of Appeals from 1957 to 1958. He entered private law practice in Manning in July of 1958 and practiced with Joseph O. Rogers for over 30 years beginning in 1961. He was on the Santee Wateree Mental Health Board from 1966 to 1978, County Attorney, Clarendon County from 1976 to 1984, Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline from 1981 to 1984, South Carolina Bar House of Delegates from 1984 to 1986, Chairman, Clarendon County Council from 1985 to 1989, and a member of the Board of the South Carolina Baptist Foundation. He continued his private practice until 2018. He was a member of Manning First Baptist Church for 50 years and served in various capacities including Deacon, Sunday School teacher and Training Union. Mr. Riggs enjoyed golfing, hunting, fishing, and boating until his health interfered with these activities. He enjoyed history and practicing law in this county. He was always with his Gamecocks through thick and thin and is most proud and excited of the strides that the University has made over the years, academically as well as in athletics. Certainly, he always loved his family, his many friends, acquaintances, and most of all the people of Clarendon County and South Carolina.
He is survived by his wife of Manning; three children, Walter Marion Riggs (Nancy) of Irmo, Myra Riggs Edwards (George) and James Nelson “Jimmy” Riggs, both of Manning; five grandchildren, Kevin W. Riggs, Caitlin R. Lungu, Jessica L. Edwards, Robert M. “Robbie” Edwards and Jamylin Riggs; a great grandson, Adam; and a brother, Clyde Walter Riggs of Manning.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, John Riggs, Russell Riggs, Sr. and Nelson Riggs.
A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, October 12, 2020, at the Ridgill Family Cemetery with the Rev. Russell M. Riggs, Jr. officiating.
The family will receive friends at the residence, 415 Briarcliff Street, Manning.
Memorials may be made to Manning First Baptist Church, 49 W. Boyce Street, Manning, SC 29102, or to McLeod Health Clarendon Foundation, Infusion Center, P.O. Box 550, Manning, SC 29102.
Stephens Funeral Home & Crematory, 304 N. Church Street, Manning, is in charge of arrangements, (803) 435-2179. www.stephensfuneralhome.org
