Tammy Lynn Southern-Riggs

Tammy Lynn Southern-Riggs was born on May 20, 1970 to Violet Virginia “Gin” Radford and Gary Lee Southern. She married the father of her children, Ronnie Riggs, in Fort Smith, Arkansas, on March 11, 1991.

Tammy was beyond talented in so many areas of her life. She was smart, crafty, funny, and above all an incredible cook! Along with running the family home, Tammy worked as a waitress for many years, but her heart was working at McKinney Grocery in Roland, Oklahoma. She loved to serve people and always made sure she called them by name. You knew the food would be good and the service would be even better if you could hear Tammy’s laugh across the store.

Tammy loved music of all kinds, and raised her kids to love it just the same. Some may even say music was her secret recipe growing amazing gardens, house plants and flowers of any kind.

On December 20, 2025, in Brushy, Oklahoma, Jesus called Tammy to her eternal home in Heaven. If we could only catch a glimpse of her homecoming, it would go a little something like her Daddy playing guitar, her Mama sitting on a horse and Jesus with open arms saying, “Hello Darlin’, nice to see ya.”

Tammy’s life isn’t lost on this earth, her love and laughter live on through her extensive host of family and friends.

Tammy is survived by her husband, Ronnie Riggs; her daughter, Jennifer Riggs-Williams and David; her son, Michael Riggs; her grandchildren, Darren Williams, MadaLyn Williams, Jace Riggs, Kaid Riggs, and Nash Riggs and BrantLee Williams, along with any other child who was in her life, everyone was loved just the same. She also leaves her brothers, Gary Lee Southern II, and David Dority; her sisters, Noel Southern, Beulah Faye Gibbins, and DeAnna Heppner to carry on their Southern family love on this earth. Tammy was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Elmer Dority II (Junior); and her sister, Violet Lou Chism.

Viewing will be 4 - 8 PM Tuesday at Agent Mallory Martin Chapel in Muldrow, OK. A celebration of life is planned for a later date with the friends and family that cherished Tammy so dearly.

Honorary Pallbearers for Tammy will be David Williams II, James Carl Gibbins, Gary Lee Southern III, LJ Heppner, and Jace, Kaid and Nash Riggs.