Biography: Lelia (Lee) Riggs Cress of Little Rock passed away on May 20, 2025.  She was born June 4, 1936 the daughter of Martha and John A. Riggs Jr. and granddaughter of Lela and John A. Riggs Sr.  Her grandfather founded J.A. Riggs Tractor Company in 1927, which is the Caterpillar dealer in Arkansas.

Lee had a special childhood.  She attended Little Rock public schools graduating from Little Rock High School.  She attended Randolph-Macon Women’s College in Lynchburg, Virginia for two years and transferred to the University of Arkansas.  She was a Chi Omega.

Lee’s greatest joys and blessings were her family and friends.  She married Bob Cress in 1957 and was blessed with two children – Rob and Carolyn.  While raising her children, she began her community volunteer endeavors which became almost full time.  The Junior League of Little Rock was the catalyst.  The Arkansas Children’s Hospital was her first commitment.  She worked as an occupational therapist and joined the hospital auxiliary.  Through the auxiliary she worked a gift cart before the opening of the gift shop.  She volunteered in the shop for over 50 years.  She is a past president of the auxiliary and supported annual fundraisers.

Lee was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday school for ten years.  She was a past president of the United Methodist Women and 30 year member of the Altar Guild.  She volunteered with LIFT program.

The Arkansas Arts Center, Wildwood, the Parent Center, American Lung Association and Cancer Research were all a big part of her life.  Fundraisers for these were commitments she valued.

Lee was an active member of the Little Rock Garden Club, the Scattered Seed Garden Club, the River Ridge Garden Club and the Second Friday Book Club.

Lee was predeceased by her parents, her daughter Carolyn, her husband Bob, her grandson Tyler Lawrence, her brothers and sisters in law Jack and Lila Riggs and Lamar and Linda Riggs. And her brother’s in law Gil Buchanan and Hayes McClerkin.

She is survived by her son Rob and Julie Cress, three grandsons and 6 great grandchildren.  Robert and Belen and their children Oliver, Daniel and Valentina.  George and Jana and their children Eleanor, Judah and Shepherd. Conner and Aubrey Lawrence. 

She is also survived by her twin sister Lil McClerkin and her very special sister-in-law Helen Buchanan and their families.

The family would like to express their sincere thanks to the team of caregivers with Shawnda’s Elderly Care who have provided excellent care and companionship for the last 6 years, and to Arkansas Hospice who provided outstanding care in her final days.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 29^th at 2 in the afternoon in the First United Methodist Church sanctuary on 8^th and Center Street in Little Rock, AR.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Arkansas Children’s Hospital for the Bob & Lee Cress Endowment for Pediatric Neurosurgery. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com