Louise

Wiggins

Obituary

Louise Wiggins

September 3rd, 1916 ~ February 15th, 2017

D eaconess Emily "Louise" Wiggins was born on September 3rd, 1916 in Hinton, West Virginia to the late Elizabeth and Samuel B. Jones Sr. She went to be with her Lord on February 15th, 2017. She was a resident of Teaneck for 55 years.

Louise was the second oldest of five biological children. She had two brothers and two sisters Ollie, Rose, Edith and Samuel. She also had one adopted sister, Celeste as well as three adopted brothers, Frank, Edward and John. All of whom preceded her in death.

Louise was raised in the Baptist Church and as a woman of great faith choose to raise her family in that tradition. Her formative years were spent living and working on the family farm in Montpelier, Virginia. Louise spoke fondly of growing up on a farm. She would often reminisce about how she and her siblings worked from sun up to sun down; how excitedly they looked forward to weekends. As a lover of the outdoors Louise enjoyed planting, growing and canning the fruits of their labor. She felt that the values that she was taught during those years gave her strength that lasted her whole life.

At the age of twenty, Louise joined her sister Celeste, in New York City and began a new adventure. She worked six days a week and was still an active participant in the Harlem Renaissance, visiting such places as the famed Apollo, where she was a part of the Amature Night crowd voting for the likes of Ella Fitzgerald and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. She was also a regular attendee at the Savoy. Miss Louise was a dancer, she recalled dancing with Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway and many other stars of the time. Though she worked hard and played when able; she and her sisters also made time to work regularly at the USO. It was there that she met the love of her life, Frank Wiggins to whom she remained married until his death in 1990.

Frank's career in the Army lead to a series of experiences and instilled in her a love of travel which lasted until her demise. Initially, she lived on Army bases all around the United States. When given the opportunity to go to another country, she spoke of how frightened she was to fly but she truly wanted to go, so she prayed and she went. Living in Germany was a wonder for her that she spoke of regularly. After, Germany came Panama, where her youngest child Veronica was born. Louise was an adventurer; in each place that she lived she fully immersed herself in the culture of that country.

Louise settled in Teaneck, New Jersey in 1962 where she and Frank continued to raise their family and her love of travel grew. In subsequent years, she visited England, Ireland where she kissed the Blarney Stone, France, Italy, Switzerland, US Virgin Islands, Bermuda, Cuba, Haiti, numerous states in the United States and the trip of her life, Africa, for her 80th birthday. During her visit to Rome she was part of a delegation that had private audience with Pope John Paul. Her love of adventure extended to her daughters and grandchildren including race car driving with her grandson and riding an elephant with her granddaughter. She even went to the happiest place on earth, DisneyWorld. She looked forward to family vacations; which included trips to Virginia for Revival, to upstate New York exploration, places like Florida for relaxation and California for extreme shopping with her late Mother in Law. Among her passions was collecting hats, elephants and dolls.

Louise worked her whole life but the jobs which she held most dear were first and foremost her service to her church. As a member of First Baptist Church she served to the best of her ability as a Deaconess, a Missionary, the Alter Guild and Kitchen Committee, where she was known for delicate, delicious rolls and fruitcakes. The second was as Head Cook at Elko Lake Camp in Parksville, New York where she spent two months each year for fourteen years. As unofficial Camp Mother, in addition to serving three meals per day to three hundred underprivileged children, she gave inspiration, encouragement and hugs regularly and proudly proclaimed that there was never a meal served late. Last but equally important was her dedication to Spectrum For Living; an organization serving the needs of the developmentally challenged in Bergen County. In that capacity, she helped to raise thousands of dollars each year by co-hosting an annual fund-raising garage sale. In her job performances, which exemplified her loyalty, dedication and love for her follow man, Louise wrote her own eulogy.

She leaves to cherish her memory four daughters, Geneva, Gwendolyn, Gale and

Veronica; four grandchildren, Gina (Randy), Geoffrey, Genet and Michael; two great-grandchildren, Randall and Kenton; Numerous nieces, nephews and friends.