Yolanda L. "Raven" Riggsbee

Yolanda L. “Raven” Riggsbee, 62, of Hanover Township, passed away Wednesday, April 5th, 2017 at her home surrounded by family.

Born in Pittsboro, NC on October 11, 1954, she was a daughter of the late Walter and Mary Lou (Alston) Riggsbee.  She is a graduate of Chapel Hill High School. She was a member of Mitchell’s Chapel, Pittsboro, NC.  She was also a member of the Army Reserves from 1972 to 1976.

Over her 40+ year professional career, she served as the President of AFGE local 1699 where she oversaw labor relations and staff development.  She retired from the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (DVAMC) in 2010 and went on to work as a National Union Representative for AFGE, 3rd District.

She was instrumental in forming the Unified Union Partners VISN4, served as a secretary of the Wilkes-Barre Labor Council, was a long-standing committee member of the United Way and was a multiple award winner for services to community labor movement.  She also donated and volunteered countless hours to numerous charities and organizations.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Spencer J. Cottman, Sr. and a nephew, Brian Cobb.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughters, N’Kaya L. Riggsbee-Cottman, Asya R. Riggsbee-Cottman, Zekara A. Riggsbee-Cottman and Juana M. Riggsbee-Cottman; stepson, Spencer J. Cottman, Jr.; grandchildren, Alicia M. Riggsbee-Powell, Shaliek D. Riggsbee-Powell, Stephanie L. Riggsbee-Powell, Jeremiah Cottman-DeGaetano, Javon D. Riggsbee-Hallager, Spencer J. Riggsbee-Hallager, Danielle Cottman-DeGaetano and Sahad A. Muhammad; sisters, Jackie (Fred) Cobb, Tarra Nickerson, Faye Riggsbee and Lynn (James) Gibson; brother, Walter (Hytheia) Riggsbee, long-time partner, Mark S. Yurgel and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and sister/brother-friends .

A Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday, April 11th, 2017 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Kirby Park.   In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Kniffen O’Malley Leffler Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. 465 S. Main St., Wilkes-Barre.

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