James Edward "Tiny" Carrigan, Sr..

James Edward Carrigan, Sr., also affectionately known as "Tiny," passed from this life on October 10, 2024, at the age of 80. He was born on November 21, 1943, in Fulton, Arkansas to the union of Jefferson Carrigan and Amalee Nash Carrigan. He accepted Christ and was baptized at Antioch Baptist Church n DeAnn. He was a 1961 graduate of the Blevins Training School. 

He met Rutha Bell Porter and after an appropriate period of courtship they were married on March 16, 1969. They were married for 55 years until her passing on Friday, June 3, 2023. The Lord blessed them with five children. While Rutha was busy working at Lincoln High School, Tiny worked at Texana Tank Company in Nash, Texas where he retired. He later worked in environmental services with the Hope Public School District for 10 years. The family moved their membership to Macedonia Baptist Church in Columbus where he served as a deacon, a member of the male choir, an usher and the van driver.

Embracing his love for music and ushering, James became a longtime member of the Southwest District Association Choir, he served as an usher and past vice president of the district ushers until his health began to fail. 

He was a die-hard Pittsburgh Steelers fan, faithfully cheering on his favorite team with enthusiasm. Despite his nickname, "Tiny," reflecting his big stature, James had a heart that was even larger, filled with love and empathy for those around him.

Though he departs this life in body, his memory will live on forever. He was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved Rutha Bell Porter Carrigan (June 23, 2023); his daughter, Deidra Neshia Carrigan (October 3, 2020); and his siblings, Bernice Carrigan Witherspoon, Helen Ruth Carrigan Wesley and Rev. Hughy Lee Carrigan. 

He leaves his four sons, James E. (Elonda) Carrigan, Jr., Anthony R. Porter, and Derrick Carrigan all of Hope and Corey Carrigan of Texarkana, AR; his grandchildren, Fredricka Carrigan, Madisyn Ellis, Chansten Washington, Ashlynn Toney, Mariah Porter, Courtlin Carrigan, and Landree Carrigan; two great-grandchildren, Ja’Kaiden and Ja’Kaidence; one sister, Leola (Jerome ) Green of Hope, AR and a brother, Tommie Carrigan of Bossier City, LA; four sisters-in-law, Everlean Porter of Little Rock, Carolyn Porter of Hope, Marilyn (Clayton) Miller of Bossier City, LA and Carolyn M. Porter of Hope; an uncle, Herman D. (Maudlene) Johnson of Washington AR. He also leaves her nieces, nephews, numerous friends, and the Macedonia Baptist Church, Columbus family who loved him and added to the richness of his life.

Public visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 18, 2024, at Macedonia Baptist Church, 2333 Highway 73 W, Washington, AR 71862. A Celebration of her life will be shared at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at Macedonia Baptist Church Rev. Lorenzo Kelly, eulogist, and Rev. Freddie Smith, officiating. The interment will be at Westmoreland Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Lamont MIller, Tracy Ford, Ricardo Cheatam, Eric Lowe, Demarcus Johnson and Brandon Cornelius. Honorable to mention is James E. Carrigan, Jr., Anthony Porter, Derrick Carrigan, Corey Carrigan, Eugene Green and Chris Carrigan, Felix Carrigan, Jefferey Porter, Marcus Miller, Phil L. Stuard, Jr., Dajuan Ingram, Wallace McGill, and Terry McGill.