Michael Wayne Brigance

Michael Wayne Brigance, 70, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, passed away April 24, 2024.

Mike was born in Wilson May 24, 1953, to Reba Haynes and Joseph L. Brigance. He was the youngest of four siblings. Mike was a lifelong resident of Wilson. As a member of the first graduating class of Rivercrest High School in 1971, he attended Arkansas State University before coming back to Wilson to marry his high school sweetheart, Jamie Jo Ford. Together they lived life and loved each other while they raised not only two children, but a host of grandchildren. Mike went to work as a general insurance adjuster for the General Adjustment Bureau where he stayed until he opened his own company, NE-ARK Adjustment Company, with Jamie in 1996.

Although Mike was not raised a hunter, he became one and learned to enjoy the hunt with his father-in-law, James Ford, as they chased quail across Northeast Arkansas. Truly an outdoorsman, Mike enjoyed hunting and fishing and, most importantly, spending time with friends and family while enjoying the outdoors. His love of hunting, fishing and friends took him not only around Arkansas and Tennessee, but also to far flung places in Canada, South Dakota and numerous places in between. He may not have always caught the biggest fish or killed a monster buck, but he always came back with new friendships and renewed bonds of camaraderie. He knew what really mattered!

Whether you knew him as “Burr”, Michael, Mike, or by his favorite moniker, “Pop”, you knew that you could always count on him to bring the comic relief. It was sometimes difficult to discern his truth since he seemed to be able to tell a tale in any situation. Somehow he was “The World’s Greatest” in almost every story! His joking nature brought smiles and laughter to countless faces.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Jamie, and their two children, Jill Brigance Meyer (Reynold) and Joseph Matthew Brigance (Christey McCormick). “Pop”, his favorite name over the years, also leaves six grandchildren who have a treasure chest full of special memories: Matthew Chance Brigance, Caroline Haynes Meyer, Catherine Cashion Meyer, Joseph Eli “Jeb” Brigance, Mary Patton Meyer and Alvin Reynold “Reyn” Meyer IV. He leaves behind his sisters, Sandra James and Sharon McCullar (David), and brother-in-law, Steve Ford (Mary Ann). Mike was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Randy.

Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, April 29, at Wilson First Baptist Church followed by a celebration of life at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Rivercrest Alumni Association Scholarship Fund through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 5 Allied Drive, Suite 51110, Little Rock, AR 72202, or the Ronald McDonald Charities of Memphis, 535 Alabama Ave, Memphis, TN 38105.