Whether running a business, caring for her family, or striving to make an impact for the greater good, Glenda Harman Rigmaiden was always in motion. Just shy of her 74th birthday, she could run rings around many of us much younger than herself and make us tired just watching her. Her work here done, she went to find her eternal rest Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.
Born the only child of Dottie Conely Harman and husband Theodore Harman on Sept. 6, 1947, Glenda always yearned for a large family of her own. After her parents separated, she went to live with her maternal grandmother who taught her that a strong work ethic and being tidy were hallmarks of respectable people. She took these lessons to heart and was a star pupil of her class. As a young teen, she developed a closeness with the Lord, and her unwavering love for Him would carry her all the days of her life.
She would meet the other love of her life in school. A year older, Kenneth Rigmaiden came from just the sort of family she wanted – a big one. He was one of six children and that, along with his impressive grades and charming grin, were enough to catch her interest. He couldn’t help but take notice of her.
They had both gone off to college when Kenneth was drafted into the Marine Corps to serve in the Viet Nam war. She was dating someone else, but couldn’t stop worrying over their hometown hero who was serving their country overseas. She would pray for his safe return and write him a letter every week, where she would tuck in a little scripture card from her grandmother’s Our Daily Bread Promise box that sat on the family’s kitchen table. Her prayers for a safe return were answered and Kenneth was one of only three in his squad who made it back.
When he arrived at the station and put in a call for someone from home to come pick him up, she was the telephone operator on the other end of the line and was the first to know he was home. Soon after, they eloped and began a family of their own. They would go on to have four children and fifteen grandchildren. She would pray over each of them by name daily.
While managing a busy household of six, she would go back to school to earn her degree and find work as an accountant. After leaving their home state of Louisiana in search for better opportunities, they moved to Georgia where Glenda began a career at Safe CO Insurance, where she earned the title of Woman of the Year. She put in her time and retired from the company after 20 years of employment there. Taking the money she had saved in her 401k, she and her husband bought the Carlton Marion Inn of Yellville, Ark. The consummate caretaker, this 20 room inn would provide shelter for many of her family over the years. Making improvements all along the way, they would earn a reputation for a safe, clean place for travelers to rest. Glenda and her husband Ken have run the Inn for close to 16 years.
Never one to shirk a duty, she joined various civic organizations in their new home town. She joined the Master Gardeners of Marion County, planting flower beds and shrubs in public spaces to beautify her city. She served as secretary for the Marion County Republican Committee, and was the decorator for the Regan Day dinner every year.
She served as the District Representative for the Marion County Republican Committee, and her name is listed in the book as one of the influencers who turned the state of Arkansas from a 100 year run as a democratic state to a solid republican state.
That is not the only book where her name can be found. Surely her name is written in the Book of Life. The woman who was always in motion – caring for her large family, serving as hostess to the myriad of travelers who found rest at the Carlton Marion Inn, has finally found rest. She will be dearly missed.
She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Kenneth Wayne Rigmaiden; her son, Kenneth Stirling Rigmaiden (his wife Gilberta and children Dylan, Kayla, Logan, Kelsey, Giovanni, Bryan, and Mateo); daughter, Kendra Hensley (her husband Howard and children Madison and Asher); daughter, Kimberly Rigmaiden (children Hope, Glori, and Noah); and son, Jeremy Rigmaiden (children Esco, Atwood, and Abilene).
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 2, at The Pentecostal Church of DeQuincy, 301 W. Fourth St., DeQuincy. Interment will follow at Magnolia Cemetery in Ragley.
Arrangements are being handled by Riley Smith & Sons Funeral Home, 1810 W. Fourth St., DeQuincy.
(Paid Memorial)
