Mattie Mae Riggs

Mattie Mae Riggs was born on February 28, 1969, to Isaac Moten Riggs and Artelia Rebecca Shelton of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Both parents preceded her in death. She was lovingly named after her paternal grandmother.

Mattie grew up in the city of Compton and attended George Washington Elementary School, Benjamin O. Davis Jr. High School, and Compton Senior High School. She was an exceptional student, earning straight A’s, remaining among the top of her class.

At the age of 13, Mattie was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses along with two of her sisters—Brenda (14) and Nichole (12)—at Dodger Stadium on June 26, 1982. Although she greatly valued her academic studies, Mattie chose to graduate early at age 16 to pursue her spiritual goals. One of those goals was pioneering, which she joyfully achieved in September 1985. This marked the beginning of a wonderful journey of service, rich association, and many blessings. Over the years, Mattie assisted in foreign-language congregations, which were Russian and Persian. She also traveled extensively throughout the United States and to International Conventions, Special Conventions, and a Branch Dedication. Along the way, she formed and maintained many deep and lasting friendships.

Mattie was multi-talented. She loved to dance and was especially known for her beautiful singing voice. She often shared this gift by singing at friends’ wedding receptions and other special occasions.

Mattie’s greatest love, however, was the deep study of God’s Word, the Bible. She loved to share her faith and discussing spiritual matters with family, friends, and neighbors. She even had the joy of assisting others as they advanced to spiritual maturity. Up until her last day, Mattie remained devoted to this work. She wrote more than 30 letters to neighbors, each containing encouraging scriptural thoughts about a better future. On the day of her passing, those letters were found on her dining room table—addressed, stamped, and ready to be mailed. Her family lovingly ensured that each letter was mailed shortly thereafter.

Professionally, Mattie worked as a Claims Processor at Bay Shores/Healthcare Partners, where her strong work ethic earned her Employee of the Month recognition on numerous occasions. In 1999, she began working as a Data Analyst for the Los Angeles Unified School District School Police Department and served there until her retirement in 2019.

During retirement, Mattie continued volunteering as a regular pioneer. She truly loved people and shared her faith at every opportunity—whether informally, from door to door, with relatives, or with anyone she encountered. Mattie had many interests and enjoyed reading, attending concerts, visiting museums and trying new recipes. She was looking forward to attending her family’s annual trip to Yosemite National Park this fall.

Mattie’s life was not without trials. At the age of six, she experienced a serious medical crisis that required emergency surgery and resulted in a lengthy hospital stay. The treatments she received for her illness along with prolonged separation from her siblings, during that time, proved deeply traumatic. Although Mattie did not have children of her own, she dearly loved her nieces and nephews. She encouraged them at every opportunity to remain strong in their faith and to stay in God’s love. Mattie was a fine example to them and to all who knew her, faithfully serving her God from the age of 12 until she took her final breath.

Mattie Mae Riggs passed away on Thursday, January 11, 2026, at the age of 56 years old. She leaves behind 6 siblings: Earnest Riggs (Kim), Brenda Riggs, Nichole Riggs, Lakeisha Jones (Peter), Yolanda Adkins (Khary Anthony) and Isaiah Riggs (Trish). As well as four nephews; Earnest Jr. (Jessyka), Nicholas, Roman, Anthony Jr., and seven nieces; Vanessa, Christina, Kayla (Powei), Jalyn, Aniya, Alyssa, Paris and three step-nieces Kylie, Katlyn and Ashlyn (Cameron), along with Aunts Julia Caldwell, Lula Lounds, Martha Riggs and Uncles Jesse Riggs (Patricia), James Riggs (Beverly), Dennis Riggs, Johnny Riggs, Albert Riggs (Cheryl), First cousins Joseph (Teresa), Kimberly Foster (Glenville), David Shelton (Diane), Michael Shelton (Ruth), Jonae, Jonathan and Jessie Kay Shelton and Antonius Riggs as well as many other cousins, family and friends.