Jack Wiggins

John Lawrence Wiggins, Jr., 90, died Monday, August 15, 2005 at Wilson Medical Center.

The son of Jessie Lilian Aycock Wiggins and John Lawrence Wiggins, he was born in Wilson County on July 5, 1915. He attended Charles L. Coon High School and the University of North Carolina. He was a member of the unbeaten and unscored upon Coon football team of 1933 and was also on the boxing team. Serving in the United States Fifth Army as a First Lieutenant in North Africa and Italy during World War II, he commanded a tank unit which provided indirect fire support for Free French units.

Jack was a retired co-owner of Towe Insurance Service and was active in numerous state and local insurance organizations. A lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church, he was ordained as both a Deacon and an Elder. He served on the boards of directors or advisory boards of The Salvation Army, The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club, Wilson Housing Authority, The Wesley Shelter, Wilson Kiwanis Club, and United Way. He had also served as Campaign Chairman and President of the United Way. Jack was also an avid gardener.

Funeral, Thursday, 11:00 AM, First Presbyterian Church, conducted by Rev. James H. McKinnon, Jr. Interment, Maplewood Cemetery.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, the former Daisy Manning Lawrence; a sister, Louise Wiggins Hackney of Wilson; daughter, Jennifer Wiggins Moore of Greensboro; son and daughter in law, John Lawrence Wiggins, III and Sheila Barker Wiggins of Wilson; grandchildren, Hannah Moore Harrison of Miami, Reuben Thompson Moore of Boston, Winston Nathaniel Moore of Greensboro, Farrell Leigh Wiggins of Wilson, and Barker Elizabeth Wiggins of Wilson; great-grandchild, Alexander Quinn Parnell of Miami; nieces and nephews, Susan Hackney Black of Wilson, Louise Wiggins Jordan of Raleigh, Arthur Philip Wiggins of Zebulon, John Harvey Wiggins of Blowing Rock, Hart Turner Wiggins of Wilson, William Aycock Wiggins, Jr. of Williamsburg, and Herbert Ellis Wiggins of Wendell and cousin, Archie Kavanaugh Ellis of Wilson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Flora Ann Wiggins Beloff, and brother, William Aycock Wiggins.

The family wishes to express heartfelt thanks for the dedicated work of caregivers Carlos Burks, Denise Farmer, Clara G. Simms, Beatrice Thomas, Bertha Taylor, and Carolyn Green. Deep appreciation is also extended to the physicians, nurses, and staff of Wilson Medical Center.