Velna Mathis Riggins

Velna Mathis Riggins

August 20, 1925 – October 8, 2025

Garner, North Carolina

Mrs. Velna Evaughn Mathis (Hensdale) Riggins, 100 years of age, passed away on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 after a serious fall in September. She was born on August 20, 1925 in Yadkin County to Bob Glenn and Nadie Shore Mathis. Velna was the first born of the couple’s 11 children.

In addition to her parents, Velna was preceded in death by her husband, Oscar Coolidge Hensdale of 24 plus years who passed in 1973. Velna remarried, after 20 years to Harvie Erick Riggins, who passed just 2 years later; three brothers, Noah Raeford Mathis, Santford Sherwin Mathis, and Norris Dale Mathis; four sisters, Nadie (Tootsie) Marilyn Mathis Long, Reata Robena Mathis Bryant, Virginia Mae Mathis Messick, and Wilma (Polly) Kathryn Mathis Bowman.

She is survived by a son, Darrell Wayne Hensdale, a daughter, Wanda Jayne Hensdale, one brother, Glenn (Bill) Cloyce Mathis, two sisters, Clarris Dean Mathis Collins, Audrey Mathis (Sizemore) Hobson, and a multitude of nieces, nephews, and in-laws; step-children, Janice Riggins Crow, Donald Riggins, Mona Riggins, and Charles Riggins.

Velna was a member of Edgewood Baptist Church (formerly City View Baptist Church) in Winston-Salem for 75 plus years, where she leaves a multitude of good friends. She was employed at Western Electric (which later became AT&T, Bell South Labs, Lucent Technologies) for 35 years and retired in 1988. Velna mowed her own yard, painted inside, sewed her clothes, canned fruits and vegetables, until her late 80’s, and drove until a stroke at 92 in 2018. She lived in Winston-Salem since 1951 when she and Oscar bought their first and only home. Following the stroke, Velna moved to assisted living in Garner, NC close to her children. Our special thanks to the staffs of Brookdale – Smithfield and Cadence – Garner for the loving care provided the last 7 years.

The family will visit with friends on Monday October 13, 2025 at Gentry Family Funeral Service in Yadkinville, NC from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm. Funeral services will follow at 12:00 pm with Pastor Kent Hogan officiating. Burial will take place at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens.