Virginia Dobson Rigsby, age 75, of Florence, Alabama passed away peacefully surrounded by her family, on December 16, 2025 in Whitwell, Tennessee.
Virginia was born July 5, 1950 in Tuscumbia, Alabama. She was the daughter of Janice Dobson Sandlin and Joseph Benton Dobson “JB”. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her brother, Joseph Benton Dobson Jr.
She was a graduate of Coffee High School in Florence, Alabama in 1968. She graduated from the University of Alabama in Birmingham (UAB) with a degree in history, in 1973 and was a retired high school history teacher. Virginia was a member of Stuart Heights Baptist Church. She was a woman of beautiful faith, and a dedicated wife, mother and friend.
Virginia had a gentle and nurturing soul, and she always took the time to help animals and people in need. She loved horses, her cows and her two loving pups, Cowboy and Ginger. She was an avid fan of the Auburn Tigers…War Eagle!
The funeral will be held on December 20, 2025 at Stuart Heights Baptist Church in Chattanooga, TN (3208 Hixon Pike) Visitation will be held at 11:00 (Eastern Time) followed by the service at 12:00. The graveside service will follow at 2:30 pm EST at Teagues Cemetery in Whitwell, TN (101-329 McDonough Rd.)
She is survived by her husband, Dr. Larry Rigsby, and her two daughters, Amy Rigsby McGhee (Brian McGhee) and Layne Rigsby Howland (Ben Howland) and her son, Clay Rigsby; grandchildren, Hannah Rigsby, Clay Rigsby Jr., Matthew Thomas, Virginia McGhee and Winston McGhee, Jacob Melton and Austin Melton; great-grandchild, Oliver Thomas, and many dear nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Brian McGhee, Ben Howland, Winston McGhee, Matthew Thomas, Billy Rigsby, and Randy Weldon. Honorary pallbearers will be Clay Rigsby and Clay Rigsby Jr.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Virginia’s name to Stuart Heights Baptist Church, 3208 Hixson, Pike, Chattanooga, TN 37415 or the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org or NeuroScience Innovation Foundation, 725 Glenwood Drive, Room E-880A, Chattanooga, TN 37404 or www.neurofdn.com
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com
The arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Hwy. 153, Hixson, TN 37343.
