Hugh Edgar Bigner, Jr.

Hugh Edgar Bigner, Jr. passed away on December 13, 2023, in Hazlehurst, Mississippi at the age of 82. Born on October 13, 1941, in Pumpkin Center, Louisiana, he was the son of Hugh Edgar Bigner, Sr. & Della Hutchinson Starkey Bigner.  He was a lifelong resident of Tickfaw, Louisiana until May 2022, when he moved to Crystal Springs, Mississippi to live with his daughter and son-in-law.  

Edgar’s occupations included carpenter, commercial fisherman and trapper, and decades as a dairy farmer with his wife Joyce.  He enjoyed spending time with family and friends and spending time outside in God’s great creation.  Edgar was an avid hunter and loved his time outdoors.  He has hunted everything from deer, squirrels, rabbits, turkeys, and quail to the more exotic game like alligators, mink, and pheasants.  He was inducted into the Tri-Parish Wild Turkey Association Hall of Fame in 1993.   
Edgar’s most-prized blessings were his family.  He loved to spend hours visiting and telling stories with them.  He also loved singing, listening to music, and even teaching the great grandkids how to dance.  He told stories of the “troll” that lived under the bridge on the family farm to his grandsons and could be heard singing “You Are My Sunshine” to the great grandkids.  Many friends in Louisiana and Mississippi knew him as either “Big Ed,” “Uncle Ed” or “Paw-Paw” because he had a way of making an instant connection with those he met.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Joyce Benton Bigner; parents, Hugh Edgar, Sr. and Della Bigner; brothers, Ellis Starkey and Amos Starkey; sisters, Alice Bigner Savoy, Carlene Starkey Lavigne, Nell Starkey Kinchen, and Patsy Bigner McKinney.

Edgar is survived by his loving daughter and son-in-law Charlotte and Johnnie Stewart; grandsons, Dustin Stewart (Tabatha) and Daniel Stewart (Nicole); great grandchildren, Deborah, Ada, Chloe Grace, and Ezra Stewart; brother, Rollie Bigner (Sharon); and numerous nephews and nieces. 

Family and friends will be received at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, 2000 N. Morrison Blvd, Hammond, Louisiana 70401 on Saturday, December 16, 2023, from 10:00 am - 11:00 am with a Funeral Service at 11:00 am.  The ministers are Rev. Gary Dennis and Rev. Randy Ray.

Interment will follow at Hutchinson Cemetery in Albany, Louisiana.