Anna Marie (Rigdon) Beal, born February 12, 1932 to Garney and Lauvon (Hudson) Rigdon passed on the morning of April 2, 2018 after a lengthy and valiant ten year battle with dementia.
Marie was married to the love of her life, Bob Beal, for almost 68 years, and she worked for many years as cashier and head cashier at Kroger. She also volunteered as secretary at the Dolphin Club and then worked as secretary for over 25 years at the Dolphin Club.
Marie and Bob were high school sweethearts who started their college career by taking evening college classes together at the age of 36. Bitten by the college challenge, Marie continued her studies at Ball State University and graduated with her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and Library Science in 1973. She then tackled her masters in Elementary Education in 1978, becoming the first in her family to graduate from college. Marie was quiet, but determined and put her whole heart and soul into whatever she wanted to do, and she proved this over and over again with her indomitable spirit and energy. Marie spent 15 years teaching first grade at 29th Street School and then Meadowbrook School before retiring in 1990. After Marie retired from teaching and Bob retired from Indiana Gas, she not only tutored children in reading, but she and Bob were fixtures at the Anderson YMCA, teaching swimming to children in special needs classes for almost 20 years. She and Bob loved working with these Anderson children as much as the children loved coming to see them for weekly classes. The interesting thing about Marie's devotion to teaching these special needs children is that she did not learn to swim herself until she was in her 30s, and she was determined to share that gift with as many as she could. Bob and Marie enjoyed winters in Ellenton, Florida with a wonderful set of snowbird friends that enriched their lives. In addition to their work with children, Bob and Marie spent countless hours cheering on their grandchildren, Kevan and Kaitlin, at a wide variety of sporting events.
Marie is survived by her husband, Bob, her devoted daughter Denice Beal, her daughter, Tonia Beal (Jim) Carriger and two grandchildren whom she dearly loved, Kevan and Kaitlin Carriger, as well as her sister, Gladys Craig and sister-in-law, Waneta Rigdon.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Garney and Lauvon Rigdon and brothers, Al Rigdon, Bob Rigdon and Gil Rigdon.
The family would like to thank the staff of The Legacy at Bethany Pointe and Heartland Hospice for their support and care in the final leg of her earthly journey.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 5, 2018 at Rozelle-Johnson Funeral Service. Burial will follow East Maplewood Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from noon until the service at 2 p.m. at the funeral home.
Post online condolences at www.rozelle-johnson.com.