A retirement celebration was held Saturday January 28, 2017 in the Family Life Center at Woodlawn Church Presbyterian (U.S.A.) to honor the Reverend J. W. Rigsby, after 50 years in ministry. Over 400 people were in attendance to demonstrate their love and appreciation for this man of God, who served God’s people with love, compassion, kindness and care to all he met.
Reverend J. W. Rigsby is a native of Newton, MS, and is a graduate of Stillman College; Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary; and Columbia Theological Seminary. He became an Ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament in 1967. He previously served as an Evangelist in the Presbytery of South Mississippi; Pastor of Washington Shores Presbyterian Church in Orlando, FL; coordinator for the rebuilding of three churches in the Presbytery of Mississippi; and Pastor of Pineview Presbyterian Church in Hattiesburg, MS.
On June 15, 1988, Reverend Rigsby began his work as pastor of Woodlawn Presbyterian Church, serving the congregation and community with unwavering commitment, dedication and love for 28 and a half years.
During his pastorate, he has strengthened spiritual development, increased church membership, expanded evangelism and mission, led construction of the Family Life Center and the addition to the front of the sanctuary, renovated the Education Building, and provided able leadership on all levels of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Reverend Rigsby was honorably retired by the Presbytery of St. Augustine on Saturday February 4, 2017.
He and his wife, Lorraine, are the parents of Michael (Nancy) and Bettye Jo (Marvin), and the grandparents of Casia, Da’Jon and Destiny.
The Woodlawn Presbytery Church Family will miss their beloved pastor and will pray for him and his family as he transitions into a new phase of life, spending more time with family and friends and doing things he enjoys most in life.
Be the first to comment