Obituary of Dr. robert mitchell rigdon

Dr. Robert Mitchell Rigdon, 91 of Fort Walton Beach, Florida passed away on Friday, April 8, 2022. He was born in Topeka, Kansas on January 30, 1931 to Robert William and Dorothy Mitchell Rigdon. He graduated from Abilene Christian University in 1953 with a BA in Bible, Western Carolina University in 1963 with a MA in Guidance and Counseling, and from the University of Georgia in 1968 with a Doctor of Education. He married Evelyn Marie Cooksey July 24, 1953. He served as pulpit minister of the church of Christ in Waynesville, North Carolina from 1953 to 1957 and Sylva North Carolina from 1957 until 2002. Additionally, he taught at Western Carolina University in several roles from 1963, retiring in 1993, as Professor of Psychology and Counseling. In 1980 he received the Paul A. Reid Distinguished Service Award as the professor who has made the greatest contribution to the general welfare of the University and who has enhanced it reputation as a regional University of higher education. He moved to Fort Walton Beach in 2002 and served as an associate minister at the Fort Walton Beach Church of Christ until 2018. He had various radio and television programs throughout his years in ministry. He had a passion for missions and was active in Ukraine, Russia and South Africa. Dr. Rigdon is survived by his wife, Evelyn of Fort Walton Beach, Florida; daughter, Sherilyn Rigdon Barron and her husband, Glenn Barron of Fort Walton Beach; son, Greg Rigdon and his wife, Halcyon Rigdon of Wake Forest, NC; grandchildren, Kristen Graham and her husband, Brett Graham of London, England, Chad Barron and his wife, Justine Barron of Hendersonville, NC, Ariel Slonim and her husband Jonathan Slonim of New York City, NY, Adren Rigdon of Tampa, FL; and 7 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his father, Robert William Rigdon in 1973; mother, Dorothy Mitchell Rigdon in 2001; sister, Barbara Maxine Shaffer in 1996. Funeral arrangements are scheduled for 2PM, April 16, 2022 at Appalachian Funeral Services in Sylva, North Carolina. There will be a period of visitation at 1PM preceding the service. A private burial will follow at Parris Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ukrainian refugee relief through Sunset International Bible Institute, 3723 34th Street, Lubbock, TX 79410 or online (www.sibi.cc) at Sunset International Bible Institute. Specify the Global Relief Ministry. Or you many contribute to Eastern European Mission at PO Box 55245, Hurst, TX 76054 or online at EEM.ORG. Specify for Ukraine Relief. Arrangements and Services entrusted to Family-Funeral & Cremation of Mary Esther, Florida and Appalachian Funeral Services of Sylva, North Carolina.