Margaret Jean Whittington Pigott's Obituary
Margaret Jean Whittington Pigott —— age 94, entered Heaven on December 14, 2018. Born in Helena, Arkansas, to Earle Ligon Whittington and Margaret Loucille Whittington on June 10, 1924, Jean lived most of her life in Memphis, Tennessee. Married to distinguished surgical oncologist, the late Dr. John Douglas Pigott for over sixty-one years, she was the devoted mother of Deborah P. Moore (McPherson) and John D. Pigott (Rebekah). She was the grandmother of Margaret (Blair), Alexis, Justine, Elizabeth (Chris), McPherson, Jr., and Katherine; great-grandmother of Harrison, Walker and Margaret (Lele). She has many nieces and nephews with whom she was quite close. She is survived by her sister, Elizabeth Minnich, and joins her three cherished deceased brothers.Jean enthusiastically served her community, as is evident by her contributions to a multitude of organizations, foundations and charities – local, national and international. In Memphis she founded the Shakespeare Festival in conjunction with the University of Memphis. She co-founded an art program for children in underprivileged schools. On the national level, Jean was an ardent supporter with her husband of the American Cancer Society and its mission.Devoted to the arts, she was an avid painter and supported the Brooks Museum, Dixon Art Gallery and, in believing flower arranging was an art, she also held leadership roles in several garden clubs.Jean was a long time dedicated member of St. John’s Methodist Church serving in many capacities. Her genealogical interests were ignited by her father when he founded the Ligon Family and Kinsman Association. Jean and her husband successfully oversaw the growth of this organization and planned over 20 years of reunions, taking 150 members often to the family home, Madresfield Court in Malvern, England. Her keen interest in St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle spurred her and another supporter to revive American Friends of St. George’s where she remained a board member until her death. Her involvement resulted in her and her husband’s attendance at numerous small dinners with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and HRH The Prince Philip The Duke of Edinburgh.Her society memberships include: National Gavel Society, Order First Families of Virginia (President and Honorary President for Life), Order of the Crown in America, Order of the Crown of Charlemagne in the USA, Society of Descendants of Knights of the Garter, Order of Descendants of Colonial Cavaliers, National Society Americans of Royal Descent, Colonial Dames of America, Jamestown Society, DAR, UDC, Huguenot Society, of the Foundation of Manabin in Colony of Virginia, United Daughters of the Confederacy.Jean Pigott was a lady who treated others with dignity. She faced life with a unique feminine strength, courage, elegance and grace. She never said anything negative about another person. She modeled the behavior of a believer in Jesus.There is a memorial service on Thursday, December 27 in St. Edwards Chapel, Trezevant Manor, 177 North Highland St., Memphis, TN, 38111 at 1:00 PM, with visitation from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. The family will be grateful for any memorials, especially ones to St. John’s Methodist Church, 1207 Peabody Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104 or St. Mary’s Episcopal School 41 North Perkins Road, Memphis, TN 38117.
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