Cynthia "Cindy" Horton- Riggs

Cindy Horton Riggs, 73, of Bartlett, TN, died on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.

Cindy was born to the late Richard and Shirley Horton on December 29, 1951, in Memphis, TN.  She graduated from Nicholas Blackwell High School, now known as Bartlett High School, in 1969, and received a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Memphis State University in 1980.

Cindy was a 32-year teacher with the Legacy Shelby County Schools, specifically Woodstock Elementary, Shadowlawn Middle, retiring from Appling Middle in 2012.  She was one of the original swimming instructors with the old Memphis State Swim School for Children and taught there for 15 years.  Cindy continued teaching lessons to children, especially to the very young, in her backyard pool.  It was important to her that all children knew pool safety and how to get out of pool in an emergency.

Cindy leaves behind her two sons, William Carey Watkins and Charles Zachary Watkins (Amanda), and was preceded in death by her youngest son, Frank Taylor Simonton.  She also leaves her twelve Grandkisses:  William Brady Watkins, Alexander Taylor Watkins, Tristin James Potts, Nathaniel Lee Potts, Daniel Zachary Watkins, Raegan Renee Watkins, Richard Harting Watkins, McKinnley Grace Watkins, Avery Elizabeth Person, Reese Nicole Person, Cheyenne Taylor Simonton and Knox Tyler Simonton. Cindy also leaves her sister and best friend, Debby Horton Davis (Hank), brothers Carter Horton (Patricia) and Jeff (Felicya) and a multitude of nieces and nephews.  She was also preceded in death by her beloved furry friends and companions, Scruffy and Jake.

Cindy was raised in the Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, she has requested that donations be made to the Bartlett Animal Shelter in her memory and earmarked for animal adoption.

A celebration of Cindy's life will be held in the sanctuary at New Hope Christian Church, 3300 Kirby Whitten Rd. in Bartlett, TN, on Saturday, August 16th, beginning with visitation at 10am, followed by the service at 11am, and a procession to Memorial Park Cemetery on Poplar Avenue, following the service.