1 Upcoming Event
Memorial Service
JAN
24
Saturday, January 24, 2026
Starts at 2:00 pm
Yates Baptist Church
2819 Chapel Hill Road, Durham, NC 27707
John Albert "Johnny" Rigsbee, 87, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2026, surrounded by his family.
Born on October 10, 1938, in Durham, North Carolina to Jesse Jackson Rigsbee and Dixie Suitt Rigsbee, Johnny grew up with a strong sense of community and family. He graduated from Durham High School and went on to serve his country with honor in both the United States Marine Corps and the United States Army. His dedication to service reflected the values he carried throughout his life—discipline, humility, and compassion.
After his military service, Johnny finished his college education at Campbell University then went on to build a long and steady career at DuPont de Nemours, Inc., from which he eventually retired. Known for his reliability and work ethic, he was respected by colleagues and friends alike.
Johnny married his love, Doris Thornton Rigsbee. Together they shared 65 years of marriage filled with devotion and mutual respect. Their union was blessed with four children: John Michael Rigsbee (wife Ahua), Angela Sue Baran (husband Heiko), Christian Rigsbee McGhee, and Jesse Jackson Rigsbee II (husband Arnie Gracia). Johnny took great pride in his family and found immense joy in watching it grow across generations.
He was a beloved grandfather to nine grandchildren—Michaela Rigsbee, Elizabeth Rigsbee, Jackson Rigsbee, Sophia Rigsbee, Kristopher Baran, Kristian Baran, Olivia Baran, Grace McGhee, and Mac McGhee—and a cherished great-grandfather to Peyton Case, Hope Rigsbee, Naomi Baran, and Jenna Baran.
Johnny is also survived by his older sisters Jacqueline Rigsbee Smith and Norma Rigsbee McMullan. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Johnny had a deep love for animals and an abiding appreciation for nature. He found peace working in his yard and could often be found tending to it with care. A passionate sports fan, he enjoyed watching games as much for the camaraderie as for the competition.
Those who knew Johnny remember him as loving and compassionate—a man who never met a stranger. His guiding philosophy was simple yet profound: it is better to see one's own mistakes than to dwell on those of others. This outlook shaped how he treated others—with kindness and understanding.
A memorial service will be held at Yates Baptist Church, 2819 Chapel Hill Rd., Durham, NC on January 24, 2026, at 2pm followed by a reception in the fellowship hall.
Donations can be made in Johnny’s memory to Greyhound Friends of North Carolina (greyhoundfriends.com).
Born on October 10, 1938, in Durham, North Carolina to Jesse Jackson Rigsbee and Dixie Suitt Rigsbee, Johnny grew up with a strong sense of community and family. He graduated from Durham High School and went on to serve his country with honor in both the United States Marine Corps and the United States Army. His dedication to service reflected the values he carried throughout his life—discipline, humility, and compassion.
After his military service, Johnny finished his college education at Campbell University then went on to build a long and steady career at DuPont de Nemours, Inc., from which he eventually retired. Known for his reliability and work ethic, he was respected by colleagues and friends alike.
Johnny married his love, Doris Thornton Rigsbee. Together they shared 65 years of marriage filled with devotion and mutual respect. Their union was blessed with four children: John Michael Rigsbee (wife Ahua), Angela Sue Baran (husband Heiko), Christian Rigsbee McGhee, and Jesse Jackson Rigsbee II (husband Arnie Gracia). Johnny took great pride in his family and found immense joy in watching it grow across generations.
He was a beloved grandfather to nine grandchildren—Michaela Rigsbee, Elizabeth Rigsbee, Jackson Rigsbee, Sophia Rigsbee, Kristopher Baran, Kristian Baran, Olivia Baran, Grace McGhee, and Mac McGhee—and a cherished great-grandfather to Peyton Case, Hope Rigsbee, Naomi Baran, and Jenna Baran.
Johnny is also survived by his older sisters Jacqueline Rigsbee Smith and Norma Rigsbee McMullan. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Johnny had a deep love for animals and an abiding appreciation for nature. He found peace working in his yard and could often be found tending to it with care. A passionate sports fan, he enjoyed watching games as much for the camaraderie as for the competition.
Those who knew Johnny remember him as loving and compassionate—a man who never met a stranger. His guiding philosophy was simple yet profound: it is better to see one's own mistakes than to dwell on those of others. This outlook shaped how he treated others—with kindness and understanding.
A memorial service will be held at Yates Baptist Church, 2819 Chapel Hill Rd., Durham, NC on January 24, 2026, at 2pm followed by a reception in the fellowship hall.
Donations can be made in Johnny’s memory to Greyhound Friends of North Carolina (greyhoundfriends.com).
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Rigsbee, please visit our flower store.
John Rigsbee's Guestbook
Visits: 266
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors