Patricia "Patti" Ann Rigal

With much sorrow, we rejoice in the reunion of our Lord and our precious sister, dear aunt, and loving friend: Patricia “Patti” Ann Rigal of West Monroe, Louisiana.

Patti was born October 29, 1954, and found eternal peace on June 11, 2023, at her home following a brief illness.

Patti was raised in Edgewood Baptist Church and always doted on sweet childhood memories as the youngest child of James E. Rigal, Sr. and Anita Gardner Rigal. Patti graduated from West Monroe High School in 1972 and attended Northeast Louisiana University (ULM) for a short time. In 1976 she began her 46 year long, professional career as a legal secretary and legal assistant to Percy A Ford, Jr. She will forever be irreplaceable “up to the law office” as she served Percy’s clients with laughter and love.

Patti found a rich and satisfying life away from work being of service to her Lord, her family, and many precious friends. In 1981, she became a member of the Pilot Club of the Twin Cities serving as the president three times. She also served as the secretary, director, and editor of the newsletter. She was honored with a Pilot International Award. She will be remembered by many as the Director of the Junior Miss Program where she touched and influenced countless young ladies in Ouachita Parish maintaining friendships with them throughout the years. She later became involved with the Miss Louisiana Program serving as Judges Chairman, Notary Queen, and Co-Director for Miss Louisiana Preliminary.  As a local Co-Chair for the Miss Louisiana Program, one of her young ladies went on to capture the title of Miss Louisiana and recently participated in the Miss America contest.

Patti was a faithful member of Cedar Crest Baptist Church sharing her gift of singing as she served in the choir. She was a member of the Women’s Ministry Team always planning and participating in the women’s activities. She authored articles in the ministry newsletter titled “View from the Pew.”

Patti’s gift of writing delighted many people in the community as she told stories of her many mishaps whether they occurred in the McDonald’s Drive-Thru or her little West Monroe bungalow she affectionately called “Hampton House”.

Her Southern Belle perspective was both captivating and left her many fans, known and unknown, anticipating her next entry. Her endless encouragement and posts about yesteryear will be sorely missed.

She is preceded in death by her precious parents and grandparents whom she missed with every ounce of her soul; her dear aunt, Carolyn Greene; and nephew, Keith Parks.

Patti is survived by her brother, James E. Rigal, Jr. and his wife, Kay; her sister, Linda Rigal Branch and her husband, Gary; nephews, Devin Branch and wife, Dawn, Jay Rigal and wife, Tiffany, and Chad Rigal and wife, Karen; nieces, Kala Sistrunk and husband, Lance, and Julianne Romero and husband, Rodrigo; Cousins, Tracy New and Dickie Shell; her boss, Percy A. Ford, Jr., his wife, Sandy, and their daughters, Ashley Perkins and Allison Ford, who she dearly loved; and

finally, Patti was known as GAP (Great Aunt Patti) to the children of her nephews and nieces. She devoted much of her time keeping up with the ever-growing members of “GAP’s Gang”: Larkin Branch, LeeAnn Branch, Lorelei Branch, Lilybeth Branch, Jayda Higginbotham, Carson Parks, Kaylee Paille, Alyssa Rigal, Emma Rigal, James Rigal, and Lily Rigal.

Patti held a very special role in the lives of her nephews and nieces and loved them as her very own.

Our precious sister, aunt, and friend is now whole and singing praises to our Father in paradise. The celebration service for Patti’s homegoing will be held at 11:00 A.M., Monday, June 19, 2023, at Cedar Crest Baptist Church with Pastor Greg Clark officiating. Interment will follow at Hasley Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00 A.M. until service time on Monday.

Serving as pallbearers will be Devin Branch, Jay Rigal, Chad Rigal, Dickie Shell, Bill Baker, and Dale Shields.

Memorials may be given to Cedar Crest Baptist Church, The Gideons International, or the charity of your choice.