Obituary for Eddie C Jerigan
Eddie Cornelius Jerigan was born on November, 8th, 1943 to the Reverend Isaiah Jernigan and Minnie Lee Cain Jernigan, in Birmingham Alabama. There were nine children between Isaiah and Minnie Lee; and Eddie was the seventh child born to their union. In addition to Eddie, out of the nine children, 4 are currently deceased (Novella, Isaiah, Herbert and Clarence).
Eddie was raised in the Church and was heavily influenced by his mother, Minnie who he was extremely close to. He received Christ at the tender age of 11 at the New Pilgrim Baptist Church.
Eddie had an amazing vocal talent and was part of a high school singing group that sang Doo-Wop. He attended Wenonah High School and graduated in 1961. Thereafter, he enlisted in the army, in the 82nd Airborne Division as a paratrooper. He continued to sing while in the military and upon his discharge, he made his way to New York City in to follow his dream of breaking into the music industry. One of the highlights of his life was performing at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem on Amateur Night. No longer content to solely pursue the path of music, Eddie returned to his Christian roots. In 1964, Eddie met the love of his life Muriel N. Penn. Their union of 52 years, brought forth three beautiful daughters, Tracy, Shanna and Caila.
Eddie had a varied portfolio and worked in the fields of advertising, sales and marketing. In his spare time, he wrote plays and he continued to practice his music and composed a series of songs, 5 of which he put on a CD. (2 of these songs are featured in the video montage).
He also began a journey on a spiritual path which led to his understanding of and respect for numerous faiths and beliefs. Nevertheless, he remained unwavering in his belief of God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit and the Word of God in the Bible.
Eddie embodied his faith by ministering to others and extending charity over the course of many years to many in need, offering prayer and a place to rest. Some of his ministering involved visits to nursing homes, hospitals and shut-ins and working with foster children.
Eddie loved to travel and his trips took him within the United States camping in Utah, Arizona, St. John and St. Croix US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. He also spent time traveling abroad to Europe (France, UK, The Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland), Africa (Egypt, Sudan, Morocco, Sierra Leone). He also traveled to Asia and lived for a year in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia and visited Indonesia and Singapore. He also spent time in Central America (Costa Rica) and the British Virgin Islands.
His extensive travels taught him many things about life, that this journey is one of the Spirit and grace of God and that no matter what challenges we face, life is interconnected. We must be mindful of God’s purpose for each of our lives and to remain fixed, steadfast and surrendered to His will.
During his brief illness, Eddie continued to persevere, however he succumbed to the illness and his spirit was ultimately called home on the 8th January, 2019. May God bless his journey home.
Eddie is survived by his wife Muriel Penn Jerigan, his daughters Tracy Russ (Bryon), Shanna Burroughs (Tyrone) and Caila Jerigan (Mirza), 8 grandchildren: Nigel, Mikaiel, Hannah, Taj, Psalm, Aaron, Jordan and Noah; and 2 great grandchildren: Nicholas and Nyles.
Eddie was raised in the Church and was heavily influenced by his mother, Minnie who he was extremely close to. He received Christ at the tender age of 11 at the New Pilgrim Baptist Church.
Eddie had an amazing vocal talent and was part of a high school singing group that sang Doo-Wop. He attended Wenonah High School and graduated in 1961. Thereafter, he enlisted in the army, in the 82nd Airborne Division as a paratrooper. He continued to sing while in the military and upon his discharge, he made his way to New York City in to follow his dream of breaking into the music industry. One of the highlights of his life was performing at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem on Amateur Night. No longer content to solely pursue the path of music, Eddie returned to his Christian roots. In 1964, Eddie met the love of his life Muriel N. Penn. Their union of 52 years, brought forth three beautiful daughters, Tracy, Shanna and Caila.
Eddie had a varied portfolio and worked in the fields of advertising, sales and marketing. In his spare time, he wrote plays and he continued to practice his music and composed a series of songs, 5 of which he put on a CD. (2 of these songs are featured in the video montage).
He also began a journey on a spiritual path which led to his understanding of and respect for numerous faiths and beliefs. Nevertheless, he remained unwavering in his belief of God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit and the Word of God in the Bible.
Eddie embodied his faith by ministering to others and extending charity over the course of many years to many in need, offering prayer and a place to rest. Some of his ministering involved visits to nursing homes, hospitals and shut-ins and working with foster children.
Eddie loved to travel and his trips took him within the United States camping in Utah, Arizona, St. John and St. Croix US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. He also spent time traveling abroad to Europe (France, UK, The Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland), Africa (Egypt, Sudan, Morocco, Sierra Leone). He also traveled to Asia and lived for a year in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia and visited Indonesia and Singapore. He also spent time in Central America (Costa Rica) and the British Virgin Islands.
His extensive travels taught him many things about life, that this journey is one of the Spirit and grace of God and that no matter what challenges we face, life is interconnected. We must be mindful of God’s purpose for each of our lives and to remain fixed, steadfast and surrendered to His will.
During his brief illness, Eddie continued to persevere, however he succumbed to the illness and his spirit was ultimately called home on the 8th January, 2019. May God bless his journey home.
Eddie is survived by his wife Muriel Penn Jerigan, his daughters Tracy Russ (Bryon), Shanna Burroughs (Tyrone) and Caila Jerigan (Mirza), 8 grandchildren: Nigel, Mikaiel, Hannah, Taj, Psalm, Aaron, Jordan and Noah; and 2 great grandchildren: Nicholas and Nyles.