Published: October 26, 2009 11:19 am      

Graydon Stigall

obituaries

Graydon Murriell “G.M.” Stigall, 89, formerly of Somerset, Ky., was called home to be with the Lord on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009, while being held in the arms of his daughter.

Born on Thursday, Jan. 8, 1920, in Somerset, he was the son of the late Harvey and Goldie Jones Stigall. He grew up in Somerset, where he attended the one-room Bourbon School. He left school early to care for his younger siblings after his mother died suddenly when he was at the tender age of 13.

He married Geneva Moore on April 13, 1942. They were married for 56 years before the Lord called her home in 1998. During their first 20 years of marriage, they held many sleepovers and cared for several nieces, nephews, and children of extended family who fondly called them Uncle Murriell and Aunt Gen, and some even called him “Dad.” In 1963, God blessed them with a baby daughter, Lt. Col., U.S. Army (Ret.) Beatrice Stigall Dukes (and Rev. H. Carlton Dukes). Through this union God blessed him once again — this time with the miraculous birth of a granddaughter, Miss Mikayla G. Dukes, whom he simply cherished.

He enlisted in the United States Army on April 14, 1942, where he served as a Searchlight Crewman in the Southern Pacific Theater of Operations. After the war, he returned to Somerset, where he was active in Post No. 7991, the Henry Stigall Memorial Post, of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.

Mr. Stigall was a devout Christian and an ordained Deacon in the Church of God of America under the leadership of the late Assistant Bishop Morris A. Napier.

He worked over 40 years for the Southern Railway Company. After his retirement, he enjoyed farming and working in the church. For many years, he faithfully volunteered his services to transport the widows and anyone without transportation. He also enjoyed giving away his garden vegetables, raising Beagle dogs, hunting, fishing, reading newspapers, and spending time with family.

As his health began to fail, Mr. Stigall moved in with his daughter, first living in O’Fallon, Ill., where he attended Hope Christian Church under the pastorate of Rev. Patricia M. Whitley. He later relocated with them to Lorton, Va., the place where the Lord called him home. At each location, he met complete strangers who immediately came to know and love him. He had a very special spirit that offered warmth and love to all who met him.

Preceding him in death were four sisters, Mildred Haston Conner, Flora Belle Smith, Russie Deholas Lewis, and Rosetta Stigall, and three brothers, Thomas Bradley Stigall, Alex Dewey Stigall, and Charles Wendell Stigall.

Mr. Stigall was a generous man, kind and loving to everyone.

Those who will forever celebrate his life and cherish fond memories are his only remaining sister, Mrs. Alice Potter of Los Angeles, Calif.; his daughter, son-in-law, and only granddaughter, all of Lorton, Va., as well as a host of relatives, church family, friends, and extended family.

The family of Mr. Stigall would like to convey their gratitude to friends and VITAS Hospice of Northern Virginia, the Church of God of America, Hope Christian Church, New Life Anointed Ministries International, professional colleagues at the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the U.S. Department of the Army MICC for their compassionate care, support, and prayers during this time.

A celebration of his life will be held at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 26, at the chapel of Pulaski Funeral Home, with Bishop Timothy A. Napier, Pastor P.M. Whitley, Pastor Jason Barrett, and Rev. H. Carlton Dukes officiating.

Burial will follow in the Mill Springs National Cemetery in Nancy, Ky., with military honors conducted by the American Legion Post 38.

The family of Mr. Stigall will receive friends at Pulaski Funeral Home from 5 to 8 p.m. today, Oct. 25.

Pulaski Funeral Home is honored to be in charge of all arrangements for Mr. Graydon Murriell “G.M.” Stigall.