Raymond Triggs, Jr

Obituary for Raymond Triggs, Jr.

Rev. Raymond Triggs, Jr. was born on August 19, 1949 in Jackson, Tennessee to the late Raymond Triggs, Sr. and Lillie (Merriwether) Triggs. Raymond attended Lincoln Elementary School and Merry Junior High School in Jackson, Tennessee. Raymond graduated from Merry High School in 1967. After graduation, Raymond attended Lane College in Jackson, Tennessee where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in history. While attending Lane College, he was initiated in the Kappa Sigma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. in 1969.

On December 30, 1971, Raymond was united in Holy Matrimony to Leeanna (Mays) Triggs. They were married for forty-seven years and in this union three children were born: two sons James Melvin and Raymond, III and one daughter, LaKesha Dawn.

Raymond confessed his hope in Christ at the age of nine at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Jackson, Tennessee. In 1971, he moved to Indianapolis, Indiana and worked at RCA. In 1975, he received his Masters of Science in Special Education from Indiana University. After receiving his Masters, he became a full time social studies teacher for forty years at Indianapolis Public Schools where he received numerous awards for his dedicated teaching.

In early summer of 1982, Raymond received his call to ministry. On August 8, 1982, Raymond preached his first sermon at Little Zion Baptist Church and was ordained on May 31, 1988 at Little Egypt Baptist Church (now known as Greater St. Matthews Church). Raymond served as an associate minister from 1988 until 1994 under the leadership of Rev. Clarence Moore at New Era Church. In the summer of 1994, Raymond was called to pastor at Union Baptist Church and served in that capacity for four years.

In May 1998, Raymond joined New Bethel Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. F. Benjamin Davis. A devoted member and associate minister, Raymond attended Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and Central Baptist Theological Seminary. While at New Bethel, he attended Crossroads Bible College and received his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Leadership in Ministry.

In 2010, Raymond joined New Salem Missionary Baptist Church as an assistant pastor under the leadership of Dr. Melvin J. Woodard, III. He taught Sunday School and weekly Bible study.

Raymond will always be remembered by his humor and dedication to his students and other youth in his church and his community. Raymond fought a good fight and finished the beautiful course called Life.

Raymond departed this life on November 5, 2018 at the age of sixty-nine years. He leaves to cherish his wife, Leeanna Triggs; two sons, James Melvin Triggs and Raymond Triggs, III; one daughter, LaKesha Dawn Triggs; one sister, Wanda Mercer; three grandchildren, Cordell Richardson, Tayonia Triggs, and Raymond Triggs, IV; sister-in-law, Debra Nunnally; brother-in-law, Ronald Greer; niece, Tondra Mercer; nephew, Marvin Mercer, Jr., a host of other nieces and nephews, cousins, family, friends and his New Salem family.