Bernard Thomas Rigdon, age 91, passed away Sunday, August 23, 2026, at his home.

Funeral services will begin at 10:00 am, on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at Newton County Funeral Home - North Chapel with Dr. Danny Lanier and Rev. Mark Vincent officiating. Burial will follow in the Newton County Memorial Gardens under the direction of Newton County Funeral Home.

Visitation will begin at 9:00 am on Wednesday at the funeral home. 

Mr. Rigdon was native of Newton County and received his fundamental education in the local schools of County Line, Stratton and Union. He obtained his high school diploma during his enlistment in the United States Marine Corps, where he served four years. He returned home, and married Kate Lavender Rigdon before attending East Central Junior College, where he completed his training in electrical vocation. He was self-employed for several years before being employed by ESCO, Corp. of Newton, where he retired with over 30 years of service. Mr. Rigdon was a member of Clarke-Venable Baptist Church and the Masonic Oder, having affiliation with local lodges at Little Rock and Decatur. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. During his retirement years, he enjoyed the role of being "Papaw," to the grandchildren and "Uncle Bernard" to his nieces and nephews. He will be missed by his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wives, Kate Rigdon and Laura Mangum Rigdon; his parents, Alvin and Myrtle Langham Rigdon; his siblings, Jim Rigdon, Bobbie Jean Wilkerson, and Frances Henderson, and one great-grandchild, John Chattan Barrett.

Survivors include his wife of 20 years, Hazel Tindol Rigdon of Decatur; his daughter, Glenda Rigdon Barrett (Joe), and his son, Al Rigdon (Rynthia), both of Decatur; four grandchildren, Lauren Bennett (Brett), Kyle Barrett (Sarah), Katherine Watson (Josh), and Ethan Rigdon, and his fiancé, Autumn Wingfield; four great-grandchildren, Nash Barrett, Spencer Barrett, Tayton Rigdon, and Lukas Barrett; several nieces and nephews and other extended family members.

Pallbearers will be J.T. Rigdon, Johnny Rigdon, Dewayne Rigdon, Ethan Rigdon, Josh Watson, Brett Bennett, and Kyle Barrett.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Jason Mangum, Robert Mangum, Ricky Hyde, Julius Tindol, Austin Tindol, and Paul Frink.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256, www.woundedwarriorproject.org