Carol Rigdon Gay

Carol Rigdon Gay, born on February 23, 1946 to James L. and Rittie Butler Rigdon in Alma, Ga. She is preceded in death by her parents, infant brother, James and her beloved son, Michael Brannon Craig.

In 1961, her family moved from St. Simons Island, GA to Jacksonville. She attended Terry Parker Jr./Sr. High School and the Baptist Hospital School of Radiologic Technology as well as FSCJ.

She is survived by husband, Robert D. Gay, precious sons, James A. Craig, Jr. (Linda) and David D. Craig (Lisa). An avid reader and gardener, she often mused if she would spend her last dollar on a book or a plant. In 1995, she found the answer: grandchildren! She is survived by four amazing grandsons, James A. (Tres) Craig, III (Lindsey Myers), Vincent Michael Craig, Dominic Gerald Craig, and Joseph David Craig. Lovingly called “GraGra” by her grandchildren, they also named her almost famous chocolate chip cookies “Gra cookies”.

She is also survived by her sister, Dee R. Bumbarger (Harold, dec.), brothers, Jerry L. Rigdon (LaVon), J. Harry Rigdon, seven nieces and nephews, and eight grand-nieces and nephews who brought much joy to her. With seven siblings in both parents' families, she grew up surrounded by many cousins and family reunions. In recent years, thanks to social media, she was able to reignite contact with cousins in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina and so loved getting to know their children and grandchildren. A close knit family, highlights of the year are an annual Thanksgiving oyster roast, previously held at parents’ house but more recently at the home of Bob and Carol on the Ortega River and large family reunions annually.

She was blessed to join another close knit family when she married Bob: including step-son Brandon D. Gay, (his daughter, Brianna Lily), her sister-in-law, Deborah Gay Croft (Jerry, dec.) and brothers-in-law, Vernon Jones, MD and J. William Gay (Louise) as well as seven nieces and nephews and nineteen grand-nieces and nephews.

Many of her former patients will remember her from her years as Director of Radiology at the former St. Augustine General Hospital and Flagler Hospital. After about 30 years in the healthcare field, she, along with dear friend Liz Lyons Parsons, started a catering business. It was a fun enterprise for about 5 years.

She was involved in several organizations, volunteering for AHS, Ronald McDonald House and ACS. It was while serving on the Board of ACS and volunteering for St. Johns County, she met her future husband, Bob, who in 1993 was Chairman of Great American Duck Race fundraiser.

She was involved in Inner Wheel of Riverside Rotary, where she served as president and is a Paul Harris Fellow. She was active in Ortega Forest Garden Circle, where she had served in many capacities including president. Also active in Riverside Presbyterian Church on the Alter Committee and Presbyterian Women, where she previously served as Moderator as well as other capacities, and a member of the “Tarnished Angels”, a group who polishes silver and performs other duties in the kitchens.

She was a member of the Salvation Army Women’s Axillary as well as Women for Christ and a Ponce de Leon Society supporter of the Cummer Gallery and Gardens.

The family wishes to thank the Hematology/Oncology Department at Mayo for the great care and concern they have displayed over the past 12 ½ years on her journey with Multiple Myeloma. Especially grateful for Dr. Lawrence Solberg (retired) who helped her navigate the first couple of years and Dr. Tamir Sher who has been so kind and supportive for the past 10 years. So many kind, amazing people: doctors, nurses, technicians, and registration staff who have made the journey of the past years easier. Very special thanks to nurses Andrew Donaldson, Victoria Alegria and Jamie Elliot.

Additionally, a very special thanks to all the dear friends who offered up prayers, sent cards, brought flowers, meals and offered support in so many ways. She felt truly blessed to count you all as friends and was amazed that she had so many beautiful, talented people in her life.

No Flowers Please.

Donations may be made to Wolfson Children’s NICU for their tender and loving care of grandson, Joseph.

A service will be held at Riverside Presbyterian Church, 849 Park St., Jacksonville, FL 32204 at 3:00 pm on November 9, 2022 for all family and friends, followed by a Celebration of Life at the Florida Yacht Club, 5210 Yacht Club Rd., Jacksonville, Florida 32210.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hgriversidefuneralhome.com for the Gay family.