Austin Bailey Rigsbee

DURHAM Austin Bailey Rigsbee, went to be with his Lord on Thursday, March 23, 2107. He was born April 4, 1928 to the late Annie Bailey Rigsbee and Robert O. Rigsbee Sr. in Durham.
As a teenager, Austin had several jobs, but the majority of his adult working life, he was in radio, WTIK, WKBQ in Garner, and WRBX in Chapel Hill, where he was a partner. He and his wife, Louise worked with Country Shindig, a national concert promotion company. They also started a travel company that continued during his tenure at WKBQ and WRBX and full time from 1984 until 2004.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Louise Rigsbee; two daughters, Sharyn Rigsbee and Kaye Rigsbee; grandchildren, Christopher Wilkins (Lara), Tiffany Davis, Chad Wilkins; three great-grandchildren, Ashlyn, and twins Caden and Carter Wilkins; one brother, Jack T. Rigsbee (Betty), and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his grandson, Shane Anthony Wilkins; two sisters, Anne Riley and Hazel Humphrey; three brothers, Claiborne, Leroy and Robert Rigsbee, Jr.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 27, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at Hudson Funeral Chapel. Rev. Greg Allison will officiate. Burial will be in Maplewood Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Chuck McLamb, Chris Wilkins, Chad Wilkins, Maynard Wilkins, Pete Browning and Matt Minguez.
The family will receive friends on Monday from 1 to 2 p.m., before the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, his family would appreciate your contributions to Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 950 West Faris Road., Greenville, SC 29605 or the Masonic Home for Children, 600 College Street, Oxford, NC 27565. Online condolences can be made at www.hudsonfuneralhome.com.
Tribute from his grandson, Chris Wilkins: Today we lost one of the most influential people of my life. My Grandfather, Austin Rigsbee. For those that knew him, he always left you better off than before you met him. He taught us Humble and Kind before Tim McGraw, saw all 50 states, lived for the moment he could help, gave tremendous wisdom that took age to appreciate, loved his family beyond measure, and today, has seen the face of GOD. We will miss you!