Oleta Riggs

Oleta Riggs

March 31, 1932 - July 4, 2016

On the evening of July 4, 2016, Oleta passed away peacefully at home after a day full of visits from family and friends. At the time of her passing, Oleta was 84 years old. Oleta was born in Chismville, AR on March 31, 1932, the second of three daughters born to Odus and Molly Holsted. Oleta spent many of her childhood years in Paris, AR, until the family moved to California. Once in California, Oleta and her family lived in Bakersfield, and the surrounding area, with Oleta having graduated from Bakersfield High School. It was during these years that her mother and father instilled a sense of strong work ethic, emphasized family values, and taught Oleta the importance of having a kind heart and giving spirit. As anyone who met Oleta would tell you, these characteristics stayed with her throughout all of her years. In 1947, Oleta married the love of her life, Joe Riggs. The newlywed couple soon moved to Oakdale, CA and began a family of their own. Joe and Oleta were soon blessed with a daughter, Linda, and two sons, Randy and Ronny. In the early 1950's, the family moved back to Bakersfield, CA, which would become their permanent residence. As a young woman, Oleta worked in the cotton and potato fields to help support her growing family. During this time, Joe and Oleta showed their strength in the face of adversity in order to ensure that their family thrived. In 1960, Oleta began working at Kern General Hospital as a Laboratory Technician, and then as a Histologist. After 27 years of service, Oleta retired in 1987. Throughout the years after retiring, Oleta kept in contact with many of her coworkers, including those she trained. All were quick to point out Oleta's dedication to her work. During her retirement, Oleta enjoyed spending time with her husband, children, extended family, and friends. Oleta had talents for painting, sewing, quilting, cooking, canning, and baking. Oleta was a "blanketeer" with Project Linus, making hundreds of quilts to provide love, a sense of security, warmth, and comfort to children experiencing illness, trauma, or who were otherwise in need. Oleta also made stuffed dogs for children at a local foster home. In her spare time, Oleta enjoyed attending activities at the local senior center, going to gospel singings at various churches, playing solitaire, and spending time with her beloved Chihuahua, Bella. Family gatherings were always accentuated by Oleta's homemade dishes such as "Grandma's potatoes," "the green stuff," pickled okra, and her famous Poke Cake. Holidays were always made extra special with Oleta's homemade Christmas candy, including her peanut butter balls, caramel corn, and chocolate covered potato chips. Gatherings, whether they be with an elaborate spread or a simple pizza party, were always full of laughs, shared memories, and lots of love. Oleta was an extraordinary woman who grew up facing many hardships, only to accomplish the greatest achievements: to raise and nurture a good and honest family, and to create everlasting bonds and friendships with those she met. Her sharp wit, skilled hands, and open arms left an indelible mark upon all that knew Oleta. We are all truly blessed to have had the opportunity to learn and grow from this amazing human being, and we will continue to be blessed by the bonds and friendships that have been made because of her. Oleta was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Riggs, parents, Odus and Molly Holsted, and sisters Cleedis Holsted and Lena Rotondo. Oleta is survived by her daughter, Linda Weser, sons and daughters-in-law Randy and Connie Riggs and Ronny and Betty Riggs, grandchildren Michael Weser, Adam and Renee Araujo, Keith and Sandra Weser, Tonya Mann, and Ashely Riggs, great grandchildren Jessica and Elija Weser, and Allie and Ethan Araujo, her pet Chihuahua, Bella, and many extended family members and friends. A viewing will be held for Oleta at Basham Funeral Care at 3322 Niles St, Bakersfield, CA on Sunday July 10, 2016 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Graveside services will be held at Hillcrest Memorial at 9101 Kern Canyon Rd, Bakersfield, CA on Monday July 11, 2016 at 10:00 am. Thank you to those at Memorial Hospital and Optimal Hospice who cared for Oleta, and to Basham Funeral Care and Hillcrest Memorial Mortuary for providing comfort to the family during this difficult time. A very special thank you to Oleta's children, Linda, Randy, and Ronny for providing care and compassion to their mother to ensure her comfort.