Gladys Riggs

Gladys Mae Conner Cozby Riggs, 87, of Abilene, passed away on February 22, 2025, in Abilene, Texas.

Visitation will be 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Sunday, March 2, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home. Graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm Monday, March 3, 2025, at Texas State Veterans Cemetery. Pastor Scott Beard of Fountaingate Fellowship will officiate. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road.

Gladys was born in Haskell, Texas to Lloyd and Mamie (Oates) Conner on November 22, 1937. She went to Haskell High School where she was involved in many activities including class secretary, pep squad, yearbook, Spanish I and II, War Whoop, Art Editor, N.H.S., O.W.L., F.T.A., Chanters, and Who's Who. She graduated in 1956 as Salutatorian. On June 1, 1956, she married Grady Ray Cozby, Jr. Gladys was employed as a secretary as her husband finished college. They then embarked on a military life, living in several states and having two children. Eventually they settled in Abilene and attended Bethel Temple Assembly of God. After raising her family, she went to Abilene Christian University where she was in Alpha Chi (AX) Chapter of National Honor Society, received the Juanita Tittle Pollard award in art, received a BFA in art with a 4.0 GPA and was co-valedictorian. Gladys was a 23-year member of Abilene Garden Club, serving one year as Vice President.

After her first marriage ended, she worked as Administrative Assistant at Noah Project for 12 years. Just before retiring, she married Charles Riggs on May 27, 2000. They attended Fountaingate Fellowship and led a Cell Group Bible Study for many years. Gladys loved her family and friends with all her heart and constantly showed them a Godly example. She prayed for anyone, anytime, anywhere... a mighty prayer warrior. Her greatest prayers were that her family and friends would all come to know her Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ

Gladys was preceded in death by her parents, brother H.L. Conner, brother Rev. Jack Slater, Sister Nellwyn Graham, her husband, son-in-law Tucker Hargis, grandson Tanner Hargis, and great-granddaughter Harper Thames.

Gladys survived by her son Grady Ray Cozby III, daughter Gladys Kathleen Hargis, brother David Conner, sister Janet Stephens, grandchildren Tory Hargis (Maria), Heather Thames (David), Taryn Wilson (Brian), and Hannah Freeman (Robert Altman). Great-grandchildren Eli Hargis, Emma Freeman, Lillyauna Hargis, Abigayle Hargis, Daisy Wilson, Tahlind Thames, Jasper Wilson, Carsen Wilson, Bentley Freeman, Kastle Thames, Sadie Freeman, Haven Thames, and Robert Dale Altman. Great-great granddaughter Gianna Lynn Hargis. Honorary daughters Melinda Neves, Terri Hargis, Ila Cozby and Leslie Cozby.

Pallbearers: Ray Cozby, Tory Hargis, Eli Hargis, David Thames, Tahlind Thames, and Brian Wilson.

Honorary Pallbearers: Robert Altman and Jeff Clark.

Memorials may be given to Meals on Wheels Plus (Abilene, Texas).