 |
|
Surviving are sons Aubrey (Peggy) of Raleigh, NC and Dan (Jean ) of Cincinnati, OH and daughters Sally (Mike) of Washington, PA and Linda (Cal) of Murfreesboro, NC; brother Elwood ( Martha) of Ridgecrest, CA, sisters Betty (Allan) Park of Lynchburg, VA, Carolyn Fletcher of Lynchburg, VA, Cathy (Roland) Simpson of Parksley, VA, Eleanor (Joseph) Bernard of Greenbush, VA and sister-in-law Mollie Smith Wright of Pocomoke City, Md. Also surviving "Mana" are grandchildren - Daniel Robinson, Katie (Randy ) Barnes, Matthew (Beth) Robinson, Jona (Greg) Kimbrough, Neil Wiggins and Scott Wiggins and 3 great-grandchildren: Ethan and Caleb Kimbrough and Caleb Barnes.
She was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Dunbar and enjoyed participating in so many church activities such as craft class, food bank, Young at Heart, White Cross missions and visits to Women's and Children's Rescue Mission of Lewisburg and Davis Stuart School. She was a 20-year volunteer at Sunbridge Nursing Home. She was an Registered Nurse. who was a member of the Army Cadet Corps during WWII and was retired from Thomas Memorial Hospital. She was often called upon to give care to those with sick loved ones. She loved flowers and tending to her gardens.
She was a thoughtful friend to so many people delighting them with surprise gifts and gestures of how important each one was to her. She was a loving, generous and kind woman who touched the lives of many people and left a lasting impression on each of them. She was a special sister, a wonderful grandmother , devoted great grandmother and the best mother 4 children could be blessed with. She loved to travel and was anticipating a cruise to Alaska for her 85th birthday if God had not picked this time for Iris to be in His garden. She has marvelled at the rock formations of Utah and Arizona, enjoyed the splendor of Hawaiian sunsets, cruised to Mayan ruins, wondered at the beauty of Vermont autumn leaves, got a kick out of playing the slot machines in Las Vegas, happily strolled the shores of Myrtle Beach, thrilled at seeing the dolphins off the coast of Nags Head, NC, enjoyed visits to Harrisonburg,VA where she was born, and was amazed at the diversity of Thailand and its cultures.
She loved babies, Barney Fife, dogs, books, her birds including Jada who she taught to sing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", Leonoro's spaghetti and Fazio's eggplant parmagiana, shopping at the farmer's market, spending time at her second home in NC, helping to serve barbeque at her church in Raleigh, lemon meringue pie, playing Scrabble and gin rummy with her sisters and painting rocks. She was well known for her unique cane in the shape of a saw and was often recognized by her braided hair coiled at the back of her head.
She was a collector of many things including teddy bears, porcelain dolls, elephants, trains and loving and devoted friends. She had a smile on her face that you had to respond to and made you feel from the moment you met her that she cared about you. Everyone she met became a friend and she had a memory for every person and event.
The family would like to thank the supportive staff of CCU at Thomas Memorial Hospital especially Susan Boyer, Brittany, Charlie, Debbie, Dr. Upton, Dr. Nasher, Dr. Keith, Dr. Addison and Dr. Davano. We would also like to thank the staff of hospice and especially our dear friend Missy Swick.
She will always be remembered as a giving and caring person to all she met.
Iris would ask that donations be made in her memory to First Presbyterian Church of Dunbar at 1414 Myers Avenue, Dunbar, WV.
Arrangements are being made by Keller Funeral Home and visitation will be 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Friday, January 23, 2009, with funeral at First Presbyterian Church of Dunbar at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 24, 2009, officiated by Dr. Patricia Jarvis. The body will be cremated.
|
Iris Virginia Smith Wiggins died peacefully at home January 21, 2009 after a short illness. She was a beloved lady to all who knew her. She was predeceased by her husband of 49 years, Carlyle A. Wiggins, Jr. who died February 13, 1996, her parents Ira B. and Marie Gilmer Smith of Harrisonburg, Va, brother Richard B. Smith of Wallops Island, Virginia, infant grandson and half sister Helen Ribant of Detroit, Michigan.