11/08/2025
Darlene Kay Rigney, lovingly known to everyone as Mammaw, went home to be with Jesus on November 6, 2025, at St. Bernard’s Hospital in Jonesboro, Arkansas, surrounded by her family. She was 80 years old and a resident of Gosnell Health and Rehab Nursing Home during the last year of her life.
Born in Toledo, Ohio, Darlene was the daughter of Dale Roberts and Gladys Kittrell. She was preceded in death by her father Dale Roberts; stepfather and mother Walter and Gladys Kittrell; brother Kyle Kitt Kittrell; and her precious great-grandson, Oliver Curtis O’Neal.
On October 31, 1960, Darlene married the love of her life, Reverend L.V. Rigney, and together they shared 65 wonderful years of marriage. For more than six decades, she faithfully served as a pastor’s wife—loving, supporting, and encouraging others with grace, strength, and a joyful spirit that made everyone feel at home.
She is survived by her husband, Reverend L.V. Rigney of Blytheville; one son, Danny Rigney and his wife Karyn of Blytheville; and two daughters, Vonda Belford and her husband Curt of Blytheville and Lynn Edge and her husband Kyle of Blytheville.
She was the proud Mammaw of six grandchildren: Bryan Belford and his wife Adria of Blytheville; Blake Belford and his wife Jaclyn of Mount Juliet, Tennessee; Adam Rigney and his wife Katherine of Brookland, Arkansas; Tyler Edge and his wife Beth of Blytheville; Kristen O'Neal and her husband Travis of Brookland, Arkansas; and Abby Rodgers and her husband Caleb of Blytheville. She also leaves behind 14 great-grandchildren, who were the light of her life.
Darlene is also survived by her loving siblings: Dixie Dinschel and her husband Wayne of Cape Coral, Florida; Kathy Galloway and her husband Buddy of Locust Grove, Virginia; Kim Henderson and her husband Michael of Moss Point, Mississippi; and Walter Kittrell and his wife Tammy of Columbus, Nebraska.
Since 1979, Darlene was a devoted member of Pathway Church of God in Blytheville, where she sang, served, and encouraged countless people through her faith and kindness. She loved nothing more than gathering her family for big home-cooked meals, singing Southern Gospel songs, crocheting, and spending time fishing with her loved ones. Her kitchen table was more than a place to eat—it was a place where laughter, love, and memories were shared for generations.
A celebration of her life will be held Tuesday, November 11, 2025 at 11:30 a.m., at Pathway Church of God in Blytheville, Arkansas. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until service time at Pathway Church of God. A graveside service will follow on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Chicora, Mississippi.
Darlene’s family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the wonderful caregivers at Gosnell Health and Rehab and to all who have shown love and support.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites friends to honor Darlene’s legacy by making a monetary donation to Pathway Church, the church she so dearly loved and faithfully served for over 45 years.
Her faith was unwavering, her love was endless, and her laughter will echo in our hearts forever.
As 2 Timothy 4:7 reminds us, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.cobbfuneralhome.com.
