Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

Dr. Rev. Irvin Elligan Jr.

Irvin Elligan Obituary

ELLIGAN, JR., THE REV. DR. IRVIN, 93, of Miami, Florida, died January 1, 2009, after a brief illness. He was born in Chattanooga, TN. Predeceasing him were his wife of 57 years, Florence; one brother and two sisters. Surviving him are his children: Rachel E. Clark (Luther) of Bel Air, MD, and Irvin Elligan, III of Miami. Also, a brother, James Elligan, Sr (Johnnie) of Chattanooga, TN; granddaughters, Karen and Sara Clark, and nieces and nephews and cousins. A graduate of Knoxville College and Pittsburg Theological Seminary, with continuing education studies at Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, VA, he served as pastor of Presbyterian churches in Norfolk, VA, Knoxville, TN, Richmond, VA, and St. Petersburg, FL. He was pastor of New Covenant Presbyterian Church in Miami. After retirement he served as Parish Associate at Miami Shores Presbyterian Church. Mr. Elligan, active in the civil rights movement, marched with Martin Luther King, and pastored the first integrated Presbyterian Church in Richmond, All Souls, where the first Presbyterian US woman, Dr. Rachel Henderlight, was ordained to the ministry. He was active with others in the civil rights struggle in Richmond, working successfully for integration of the public school system and the local retail establishments. He was elected as the first African American moderator of the Presbytery of the James. Later he would also serve as Moderator of the Presbytery of the Everglades, having previously represented that body at the reunion of the Northern and Southern church in 1981. He was the recipient of many honors throughout his long and active life, including the Silver Beaver Award by the Boy Scouts of America in Richmond, and his own Irvin Elligan Day in the City of Miami. It was his joy to have served God in ministry. The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, January 6, 2009, at 2 PM, Miami Shores Presbyterian Church, Miami Shores, FL. Viewing begins at 1 PM at the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Miami Shores Presbyterian Church. Burial will take place in Chattanooga, TN. Funeral arrangements are handled by Gregg L Mason Funeral Home Miami Shores, 305-757-9000 To visit this Guest Book Online, go to www.MiamiHerald.com/obituaries.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by the Miami Herald on Jan. 4, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Irvin Elligan

16 Entries

July 2, 2009

Dear Rachel & Irvin,
Every year when I go to Haiti, I always call your father. I did not know that he died in January until recently. I would have attended his service. I- we loved your father. He introduced me to Nathan over 45 years ago.
He is the reason that I joined the Presbyterian Church. He was a good man and we were blessed to have him as a pastor and a life long friend.

Willie and Nathan Dell

Kathryn Hardy Jones

February 2, 2009

I just found out today about Rev Elligan's death from a close friend of mine. We were a group of neighborhood kids that lived across the street in the duplexes and houses around the neighborhood. I remember when Rev Elligan became pastor at New Covenant. My brothers and I had been going to New Covenant since approx 1965 and then this Colored man shows up and becomes the preacher and it not a Baptist Church. My brothers Ricky and Alan called him Preacher man as did most of the teenage boys. He baptised us and also buried a few of the neighborhood kids. I remember that he gave the teenagers a room upstairs above the Fellowship hall that we had a pool table in and was our hang out place with Mrs. Charlotte Johnson as our chaperone. He helped us to get jobs through the Neighborhood Youth Corps(NYC) with us working at the Childcare center that was there. I traveled to Stillman University on behalf of the Church and also travelled to Montreat Anderson College with Rev Elligan and Dr. Rhodes in the summer of 1973. What a wonderful ride from Miami to Asheville, NC with the two of them. Cheryl, Joycelyn and I had the time of our lives. He exposed me to a life outside of my Miami neighborhood. Rev Elligan touched our lives through his thoughtfullness and mentoring of the young people of New Covenant. He even had a way with our Baptist parents who allowed us to break tradition by attending a Prebyterian church with a largely white congregation at that time. I could go on and on but I would like to Thank the family for sharing such a wonder man with us. He will be a part of my life forever and I Thank God for allowing such a man to be a part of my life and helping to make me the woman I am today.

Joanne Rice Coltrain

January 18, 2009

I will really miss seeing Dr. Elligan and his big smile at Miami Shores Presby Church. My parents have known "Mike" since their days in Richmond in the 50s when my father was a student at Union Theological Seminary. My father, John Rice, always called Mike his mentor and made sure he knew that. It was wonderful that they could reunite in Miami when my father was called to serve Miami Shores Presby Church 20 years ago. He has since retired to Va. but always looked forward to seeing Mike each winter when my parents would visit Miami. I'm so glad Dr. Elligan lived to see the election of Barack Obama!

Fred & Gloria Hawkins

January 10, 2009

To The Elligan Family,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. We feel blessed to have had Rev. Elligan as our pastor at All Souls Presbyterian Church. The times we enjoyed together are fond memories. May God be with you now and always.

How you can show support

Notify Me

Get email updates whenever changes are made.

Send flowers

Consider sending flowers.

Add photos

Share their life with photo memories.

Plant trees

Honor them by planting trees in their memory.

Donate in Memory

Make a donation in memory of your loved one.

Share this page

Invite other friends and family to visit the page.

Robert B.& Doris N. Carter

January 9, 2009

Just learned of this today 1/9/09. We send our deepest sympathy and prayers. We met in Miami when we were both pastoring. At the time I was at Mt.Sinai Baptist Church and he at New Covenant Presbyterian Church.

Fredricka Hawkins Charity

January 8, 2009

Rachel and family,

I fondly remember your father as my first pastor at All Souls and all that he meant to us in Richmond. At this time may your memories of him and your faith keep you strong. My prayers are with you.

Shirley Frazier

January 7, 2009

Irvin, may your father's memory be a blessing to you. I will miss seeing him at the North Miami concerts. God bless you and your extended family at this time of loss.

Shirley and James Frazier

Sallie Ephraim McMillan

January 6, 2009

To the family of Dr. Rev.Elligan ,Jr. Rev. Elligan was my teacher when I was in high school , Camden Academy, Camden, Al a United Presbyt.Church in Wilcox County. He left his mark of distinction there and on many of us years ago. You have our sincere Sympathy. God bless you and keep you is my prayer. 856 McCary St.SW B'ham, Al 35211

Booker T. Scruggs, II

January 5, 2009

To the Elligan Family, my sincere condolences to each of you in the passing of Rev. Elligan. You have my deepest sympathy.

Bettye Johnson-Powell

January 5, 2009

Remember

Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you plann'd:
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.

By Christina Rossetti
The Poetry Foundation

Kimberly Holiness-Woods

January 5, 2009

Dr. Rev. Elligan will be missed more than words can say. Rev. Elligan has been a member of my family for decades, he married my parents before I was born, baptized me as a child at New Covenant Presbyterian and fulfilled my dream of marrying my husband and I seven years ago. I have a great amount of love, respect, admiration and appreciation for Rev. Elligan. My current faith is largely due to the teachings he shared with me as a child while attending New Covenant and as an adult from my premarital counseling. Thank you Rev. Elligan for all that you have done for the Holiness family, you were truly looked upon as a family member and not just our minister. Rest in Peace. I'll love you always!

Margaret (Epps) Brooks

January 5, 2009

Rachel, God bless you and your family at this time of bereavement. Please know that Rev. Elligan's legacy continues at All Souls and the Church has you in vigilant prayer. I hope to see you and pray with you before I leave Florida on January 11th and will continue to try to reach you by telephone until then.

Brian Troutman

January 5, 2009

My thoughts and prayers are with the Elligan family. I remember Rev. Elligan as a wonderful and kind neighbor who lived just three doors down from me in the Miami neighborhood I grew up in. I have fond memories of the great man that he was. He will be sorely missed. May God bless him and his family.

Roniece Williams Weaver

January 5, 2009

My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Rev. Elligan will be sorely missed. Remembering him as I grew up in New Covenant , and also the pastor who married my husband and I , I feel honored to have known him for these many years. He certainly was an integral part of our family.
God be with you all. The Weavers (Williams Family - Ernestine, Willa, Althea, Rojean, and Roniece)

Carol Swann-Daniels

January 4, 2009

Dearest Rachel,
We are praying that you allow the sympathy and condolences you receive bring peace to your heart and strength for the rough times ahead. May your father's long and powerful life be fully celebrated. Know that you are in our prayers. Our deepest sympathy. Carol & Jeff

Lynette Hawkins

January 4, 2009

Rachel and Family,

Our prayers are with you as we celebrate the life of your father Rev. Dr. Elligan. It was surely a blessing to have him in Richmond at All Souls Presbyterian Church. All of our lives are enriched because of his great legacy. May your faith strengthen you at this time. God bless you.

Showing 1 - 16 of 16 results