Reflections of Our Husband, Father, Man Man, Brother, Cousin, and Friend

"Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord."

(Matthew 25:21)

A Time to Be Born

On November 12, 1963, our husband, father, grandfather "Man Man", brother, cousin, and friend Chester Carrigan was born to the late Matthew Carrigan and Lucille B. Block-Carrigan in Emmet, AR.

A Time of Loving

In August 1984, he married his beautiful wife, Constance Carrigan, and to their union, three children were added.

A Time of Planting

A man that feareth the Lord shall be praised. Chester expressed his hope in Christ at an early age at the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Deann, AR. 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 where he was the manager for the basketball team. He went on to further his knowledge by obtaining a Bachelor of Art from Arkansas College of Technology 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, Chamber Door, 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.

A Time of Sharing

Chester would like for his good works to speak for him. In the words of one of our great psalmists "May the works I've done speak for me!" As a man of excellence, he wanted the best for everyone. He didn't meet a stranger, everyone in his eyes was deserving of nothing but the best. His love for people often spilled over into the kitchen. He had a passion for cooking, and he touched many people through the meals he prepared. If you ever had Sunday dinner at the Carrigan's household, the encounter left you full. You were full physically, emotionally, and spiritually because Chester ensured that everyone that entered their doors felt like family. Everything he cooked was delicious, but a few of his specialties consisted of his rice dressing, shrimp and grits, and hot water cornbread.

A Time of Caring

Chester loved many things but nothing more than his wife (Constance), his children Ebony, Jarvis (Deandriea), and Jonathan (Karayan), and his grandchildren; Tremendous, Bryson, Zaden, and Emma. His heart would melt when his grandchildren called his name; "Man Man" they would say, and these two simple words would make him smile even on his most challenging days. His grandchildren helped make his life complete, it is an understatement to say, "they were the light of his world." In addition to spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren, he loved nothing more than spending time with his Sunday crew (you know who you are).

A Time of Giving

Chester was a man of many talents. Over the years he used the fruits of his labor to give back to his community. Over 10 years ago, he embarked upon a mission to uplift those who lost loved ones. The Lord gave him the vision to not only remember the deceased but to lift the hearts of the living. As a result, he started hosting the Carrigan Memorial Funeral Home, Annual Gala. This event permitted people from the community to fellowship together in a setting that allowed tears, laughter, rejoicing, and of course, good food.

A Time for Parting

Chester was a kidney transplant recipient in October of 2017. He was grateful for the opportunity to continue to sow into the life of those he loved. He lived every day giving unto others until he was called to the heavenly home. In times such as this Chester would often say "All Is Well" and today we say, "All Is Well" for Chester answered the call from God on Tuesday, July 7, 2020. The cloud of witnesses that have completed the journey before him includes his parents (aforementioned) and three siblings Lorine Carrigan, Charles W. Carrigan, and John Carrigan.

A Time for Rejoicing

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, AR, Pastor Jarvis (Dr. Deandriea) Carrigan of Conway, AR, and Jonathan (Karayan) Carrigan of Hot Springs, AR; his special niece and nephew whom he raised and loved as his own children, Sierra Goffigan of Hot Springs, AR and Anthony Goffigan (son, Ayce) of Hot Springs, AR, his special nephew/son, Fred (Cemeka) Smith of Little Rock, AR; mother-in-law, Carolyn Gray of Hot Springs, AR;  his siblings Linda (Rev. Freddie) Smith of Fulton, AR, Lonnie (Margaret) Carrigan of Plano, TX, Severa Nell (Donnie) Davis of Hope, AR, Frankie (Kris) Carrigan of Garland, TX, Caesar (Debbie) Carrigan, of Hope, AR, Shirley (Jerry) Griffin of Dallas, TX, and Kathy (Samuel) Madison of Reader, AR; his sisters-in-law, Mae Ann Carrigan of Hope, AR and Sharon (Lacy) Griffith of Hot Springs; his brothers-in-law, Mike Gray of Bossier, LA, Kirk Gray of Hope, AR, and John (Dea) Langston of Shreveport, LA; his special sister-in-law (shared every Sunday evening dinner) Mercie Carrigan of Prescott, AR; his special cousin, Terri Lynn Whitley of Hope, AR;  his brother from another mother Carl (Rosalyn) Henagen of Little Rock, AR; 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, AR, Lisa (Maurica) Aparcio of Emmett, Doris (Wills) Black of Denver, CO, Wayne Carrigan of Flint, MI, and Wanda Carrigan (deceased); and his aunt Irene Walker of Texarkana, TX. He also shared his love with several very special godchildren, god-grandchildren, and a host of extended family, friends, and relatives.

We pray that you will continue to lift your eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh our help. For the Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore (Psalm 121:1,8)

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the Chester Carrigan Memorial Fund. This fund was established for his beloved grandchildren. Checks may be made payable to the Chester Carrigan Memorial Fund.  Donations may also be mailed to P.O. Box 892, Hot Springs, AR 71902, or deposits may be made at any Regions Bank.

THE VISITATION WILL BE HELD ON FRIDAY, JULY 10, FROM 4 PM -7 PM AT TRINITY CHURCH, 670 PANAMA ST. HOT SPRINGS, AR.

PLEASE NOTE: GUEST MUST WEAR A MASK THROUGHOUT THE VISITATION

AND

FOLLOW THE CDC GUIDELINES FOR SOCIAL DISTANCING.

The guest registry is at http://www.carriganmemorial.com

Arrangements are entrusted to Carrigan Memorial Funeral Services Inc.