Chester Lee Carrigan, 56, of Hot Springs, Ark., passed away on July 7, 2020.
He was born on Nov. 12, 1963, in Hope, Ark., the son of the late Matthew Carrigan and Lucille B. Block-Carrigan. In August of 1984, he married his beautiful wife, Constance Carrigan, and to their union three children were added. He expressed his hope in Christ at an early age at the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Deann, Ark. He was a dedicated member of Union Missionary Baptist Church for 37 years, where he served as a trustee, Male Chorus member and a leader in the Culinary Department. Over the years, he built his knowledge at Blevins High School (1982), where he was the manager for the basketball team. He went on to further his knowledge by obtaining a Bachelor of Arts from Arkansas College of Technology (1988) and an Associate of Mortuary Science from the University of Arkansas at Hope.
He provided for his family over the years through his work at Pepsi Cola, ChamberDoor, Keith Smith, Harris Funeral Home, Brandon's Funeral Home, Stewart Enterprise and Gross Funeral Home. He later combined his life experiences and educational experiences to create two businesses that allowed him to deposit into others as a passionate servant. He gave fervently to others through Carrigan Memorial Funeral Services Inc. (owner/director/embalmer) and Precious Memories by C & C Catering (owner). He served thousands of families, dedicating numerous hours to making sure that every detail of their homegoing or special event exceeded expectations. As the owner/director of the funeral home, he meticulously captured the essence of the life of those he served with the words he etched into their eulogies.
In this moment we mourn, but we still rejoice. We "count it all joy" for we know he now wears his crown. He beholds the Lord, face to face and he is "complete and lacking nothing." During this time, the memories that have been made will continue to lift the hearts and spirits of his wife, Constance Carrigan, his three children, Ebony Carrigan-Cain, of Hot Springs, Ark., Pastor Jarvis (Dr. Deandriea) Carrigan, of Conway, Ark., and Jonathan (Karayan) Carrigan, of Hot Springs, Ark.; his special niece and nephew whom he raised and loved as his own children, Sierra Goffigan, of Hot Springs, Ark., and Anthony Goffigan (son, Ayce), of Hot Springs, Ark., his special nephew/son, Fred (Cemeka) Smith, of Little Rock, Ark.; mother-in-law, Carolyn Gray, of Hot Springs, Ark.; his siblings, Linda (Rev. Freddie) Smith, of Fulton, Ark., Lonnie (Margaret) Carrigan, of Plano, Texas, Severa Nell (Donnie) Davis, of Hope, Ark., Frankie (Kris) Carrigan, of Garland, Texas, Caesar (Debbie) Carrigan, of Hope, Ark., Shirley (Jerry) Griffin, of Dallas, Texas, and Kathy (Samuel) Madison, of Reader, Ark.; his sisters-in-law, Mae Ann Carrigan, of Hope, Ark., and Sharon (Lacy) Griffith, of Hot Springs; his brothers-in-law, Mike Gray, of Bossier, La., Kirk Gray, of Hope, Ark., and John (Dea) Langston, of Shreveport, La.; his special sister-in-law (shared every Sunday evening dinner), Mercie Carrigan, of Prescott, Ark.; his special cousin, Terri Lynn Whitley, of Hope, Ark.; his brother from another mother, Carl (Rosalyn) Henagen, of Little Rock, Ark.; his extended siblings whom he loved very much, Joyce (Charlie) Ogden, Shirley Bass, James Carrigan, David Carrigan, Robert Carrigan and Annette (Kenneth) Smith, all of Hope, Ark., Lisa (Maurica) Aparcio, of Emmett, Doris (Wills) Black, of Denver, Colo., Wayne Carrigan, of Flint, Mich., and Wanda Carrigan (deceased); and his aunt, Irene Walker, of Texarkana, Texas. He also shared his love with several very special godchildren, god-grandchildren, and a host of extended family, friends and relatives.
A visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, July 10, at Trinity Church, 670 Panama St., Hot Springs, Ark. The family will have a private burial at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to Chester's Grandchildren Memorial Fund; make checks payable to Constance Carrigan. A link will also be provided on the website, http://www.carriganmemorial.com.