Rev. John William Rigby, 85, of Smiths Station, AL passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 at the Cancer Treatment Center of America in Newnan, GA while surrounded by his loving family. A celebration of life service will be held at 2 pm EST Saturday, March 4, 2017 at Philadelphia Baptist Church, Smiths …
Read More
Rev. John William Rigby, 85, of Smiths Station, AL passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 at the Cancer Treatment Center of America in Newnan, GA while surrounded by his loving family.
A celebration of life service will be held at 2 pm EST Saturday, March 4, 2017 at Philadelphia Baptist Church, Smiths Station, AL with Rev. Skip Speed and other ministers officiating. A private interment will follow at Philadelphia Baptist Church Cemetery. Rev. Rigby will lie in state on Friday beginning at 11:00 am until 8:00 pm EST at Philadelphia Baptist Church; the family will receive friends beginning at 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm EST at the church.
Pastor Rigby was born February 6, 1932 in Columbus, GA to the late William Jehu "Jake" Rigby and Lurline Treadaway Rigby. He was former Minister of Philadelphia Baptist Church and pastored there for 27 plus years. He served in the ministry for a total of 65 years, pastoring churches in Georgia and Alabama as well as 10 years spent in evangelism.
He is a graduate of Trinity College, Clearwater, Florida, from which he also received an honorary Doctorate of Divinity degree. Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Helen Smith, and a brother, Edward Rigby.
He is survived by his beautiful bride of 64 years, Margie Little Rigby, of Smiths Station, AL, daughter, Gina Joy Rigby-House and husband Mike of McLean, VA, son, John Mark Rigby and wife Barbara of Smiths Station, AL; a sister, Livvia Pearl “Sister” Edenfield of Ellerslie, GA; sister-in-law, Ruby Rigby; grandchildren, Allyson Carter (Johnathan), Ashleigh Tidwell (Patrick), John Jacob "Jake" Rigby, and Ian "Blake" Rigby, 2 great grandchildren, numerous other loving family members, church family, and many-many friends. Online condolences may be shared at www.vancememorialchapel.net. In lieu of flowers, donations to:
Trinity College, 2430 Welbilt Blvd. Trinity, Florida 34655
Philadelphia Baptist Church 7807 Lee Road 246 Smiths Station, AL 36877 Attn: missions fund
Southeastern Assistance in Healthcare c/o Cancer Treatment Centers of America, 600 Parkway North Newnan, GA 30265
Renee Williams
left a message on March 7, 2017:
Lytha Sanders Lee
left a message on March 5, 2017:
Brenda Kennedy Clement
left a message on March 5, 2017:
Jay Mason and Korin Dobbs
left a message on March 4, 2017:
Wayne and Dianne McLendon
left a message on March 4, 2017:
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Austin and Tori Bruton
left a message on March 4, 2017:
Sonia Castellanos
left a message on March 3, 2017:
Sonia Castellanos
left a message on March 3, 2017:
Rev. John and Norma Meadows
left a message on March 3, 2017:
Tommy and Vanessa Webb
left a message on March 3, 2017:
Moore
left a message on March 3, 2017:
Megan Smith
left a message on March 3, 2017:
Rev. John and Norma Meadows
left a message on March 3, 2017:
Our prayers and love are with each of you during this time of grief and sorrow. However, we all know that John is with His Lord, and is waiting for resurrection day. He was a wonderful friend to Norma and I for many years and we'll miss him greatly. He was truly, a prince among men, and was a pastor, to pastors, and I'll always cherish his love and friendship. God bless, and we'll see you soon.
Bro. John and Norma Meadows
Laurie Crenshaw Smith
left a message on March 3, 2017:
One of my Mother's favorite memories was when Brother John visited her on several occasions he drifted off to sleep while visiting. When Mom gently teased him about this he told her it was a testament on how comfortable he was in her house.
Ms. Margie, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. While we will miss him terribly, I cannot imagine your loss. I praise God we will see Brother John again one day. He was a fine man of God and one of a kind.
LaDonna Hoopes
left a message on March 3, 2017:
Eva and Janet Turner
left a message on March 3, 2017:
Expression of Sympathy
left a message on March 3, 2017:
A GRANDMA'S GARDEN TABLE BASKET was sent on March 3, 2017
So sorry for your loss Gina and family. Please know that you are in our prayers. Love, Carol and Molly Wilkinson
Expression of Sympathy
left a message on March 3, 2017:
An EXPRESSION OF LOVE EASEL was sent on March 3, 2017
Dear Gina and Family - We love you and are thinking of you at such a difficult time. Your Daddy was such a fine man and he lived an extraordinary life. We know he will be missed by all that knew him. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Francessa, John, Charlotte, Lila and Charley Cox
Expression of Sympathy
left a message on March 3, 2017:
An EXPRESSION OF LOVE EASEL was sent on March 3, 2017
Our deepest sympathy to the Rigby family. Expressing heartfelt sympathy and offering a prayer, that God above will comfort you and ease the loss you bear. Mi corazon esta con ustedes. -Diana Medina & Family-
Fred & Dinah Chambers
left a message on March 3, 2017:
We love you. Fred & Dinah
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
LaDonna Hoopes
left a message on March 3, 2017:
Angela, Anthony and Victoria Smith
left a message on March 3, 2017:
We were so very sorry to hear of Bro. John's passing. We loved him dearly. We love you too very much and want you to know that we are praying for you that the Lord will be your strength during this time.
Ramona Richardson
left a message on March 2, 2017:
Jerome & Ramona Richardson
Dr. Jzyk S. Ennis
left a message on March 2, 2017:
Jacky & Becky Sanders
left a message on March 1, 2017:
Love,
Jacky & Becky Sanders
Your condolence may need to be approved before it appears on this page. It may not appear immediately once submitted.
Renee Williams
left a message on March 7, 2017:
Lytha Sanders Lee
left a message on March 5, 2017:
Brenda Kennedy Clement
left a message on March 5, 2017:
Jay Mason and Korin Dobbs
left a message on March 4, 2017:
Wayne and Dianne McLendon
left a message on March 4, 2017:
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Austin and Tori Bruton
left a message on March 4, 2017:
Sonia Castellanos
left a message on March 3, 2017:
Sonia Castellanos
left a message on March 3, 2017:
Rev. John and Norma Meadows
left a message on March 3, 2017:
Tommy and Vanessa Webb
left a message on March 3, 2017:
Moore
left a message on March 3, 2017:
Megan Smith
left a message on March 3, 2017:
Rev. John and Norma Meadows
left a message on March 3, 2017:
Our prayers and love are with each of you during this time of grief and sorrow. However, we all know that John is with His Lord, and is waiting for resurrection day. He was a wonderful friend to Norma and I for many years and we'll miss him greatly. He was truly, a prince among men, and was a pastor, to pastors, and I'll always cherish his love and friendship. God bless, and we'll see you soon.
Bro. John and Norma Meadows
Laurie Crenshaw Smith
left a message on March 3, 2017:
One of my Mother's favorite memories was when Brother John visited her on several occasions he drifted off to sleep while visiting. When Mom gently teased him about this he told her it was a testament on how comfortable he was in her house.
Ms. Margie, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. While we will miss him terribly, I cannot imagine your loss. I praise God we will see Brother John again one day. He was a fine man of God and one of a kind.
LaDonna Hoopes
left a message on March 3, 2017:
Eva and Janet Turner
left a message on March 3, 2017:
Expression of Sympathy
left a message on March 3, 2017:
A GRANDMA'S GARDEN TABLE BASKET was sent on March 3, 2017
So sorry for your loss Gina and family. Please know that you are in our prayers. Love, Carol and Molly Wilkinson
Expression of Sympathy
left a message on March 3, 2017:
An EXPRESSION OF LOVE EASEL was sent on March 3, 2017
Dear Gina and Family - We love you and are thinking of you at such a difficult time. Your Daddy was such a fine man and he lived an extraordinary life. We know he will be missed by all that knew him. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Francessa, John, Charlotte, Lila and Charley Cox
Expression of Sympathy
left a message on March 3, 2017:
An EXPRESSION OF LOVE EASEL was sent on March 3, 2017
Our deepest sympathy to the Rigby family. Expressing heartfelt sympathy and offering a prayer, that God above will comfort you and ease the loss you bear. Mi corazon esta con ustedes. -Diana Medina & Family-
Fred & Dinah Chambers
left a message on March 3, 2017:
We love you. Fred & Dinah
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
LaDonna Hoopes
left a message on March 3, 2017:
Angela, Anthony and Victoria Smith
left a message on March 3, 2017:
We were so very sorry to hear of Bro. John's passing. We loved him dearly. We love you too very much and want you to know that we are praying for you that the Lord will be your strength during this time.
Ramona Richardson
left a message on March 2, 2017:
Jerome & Ramona Richardson
Dr. Jzyk S. Ennis
left a message on March 2, 2017:
Jacky & Becky Sanders
left a message on March 1, 2017:
Love,
Jacky & Becky Sanders
Your condolence may need to be approved before it appears on this page. It may not appear immediately once submitted.
Thank you for leaving a condolence..
Your comment has been submitted for moderation.