Lehman Riggs

Lehman R. Riggs, age 101 of Cookeville, passed away Thursday August 19, 2021 at Heritage Pointe Senior Living. He was a World War II Veteran and oldest living veteran in Putnam County. Funeral services with military honors will at 1 p.m. Monday August 23 at Stevens Street Baptist Church. His family will receive friends Monday from 10 a.m. until service at the church. Social distancing and the use of masks are appreciated. Graveside services and interment will be 9:30 a.m. Wednesday August 25 in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, MO. Lehman was born January 17, 1920 in Pocahontas, AR to the late Charles Ernest Riggs and Eva Dawson Riggs. He moved to Michigan to work in the automotive industry, which supported the US military efforts during World War II. Lehman played a key role as a supervisor and had government deferment from active military service. After witnessing many of his friends with children going off to fight, he decided to forgo the deferment and enlist in the US Army. He saw seven months of combat mostly in Germany, and he participated in the Battle of the Bulge. On April 19, 1945, Lehman and a fallen comrade were photographed while providing cover fire on the third story of a balcony in Leipzig, Germany. The photograph was later published in Life magazine entitled, The Last Man to Die. Later Lehman returned to Leipzig in 2012 and 2016 and was honored by the town for his service. Following the war, Lehman started a career with the US Postal Service. He retired in 1977 after 30 years of service. Lehman was a member of the Veterans Honor Guard in Cookeville. He participated in over 1000 funeral military honors for veterans. Lehman was a faithful Christian and an active member and Sunday School teacher at Stevens Street Baptist Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife of 60 years, Lila Waller Riggs; second wife of 22 years, Jean Talley Riggs; sisters, Ernestine Riggs, Madeline Whiteaker, Eileen Dalton, Geneva Miller, Eva Lena Mitchner, Betty Jo Mullins, and Dorothy Bugbee; and brother, Charles Raymond Riggs. He is survived by two brothers, Dwight Riggs of South Carolina and James Riggs of Florida. Memorial contributions may be made to the Veterans Honor Guard, P. O. Box 67, Cookeville, TN 38503 or Lighthouse Christian Camp, 205 Serenity Pl, Smithville, TN 37166. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Lana Pratt, Patty Cunningham, Sharon Kyle, Carrie Clinton, staff at Heritage Pointe, and his church family for the prayers, care, and compassion rendered to Lehman. Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (931)526-6111 Share your thoughts and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com.