Willa Burris Wiggins

Willa Dean Burris Wiggins, 84, of Jonesboro, passed away Tuesday, January 8, 2019, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. Willa was born in Egypt and moved to Jonesboro when she was 10 and was a 1952 graduate of Jonesboro High School. She moved to Waco, Texas, in the fall of 1952 and was a 1955 graduate of Baylor University.

While attending Baylor University, Willa met and married the love of her life, Wayne McVey Wiggins, Jr. of Houston, who affectionately called her, "Prairie Flower." Wayne served active duty in the US Air Force from 1956-58 and they resided in Houston until 1964 when they moved to Jonesboro to begin farming in the Egypt community.

Willa taught first grade in Houston for five years and 2nd grade in Jonesboro for five years before leaving the classroom to be a full time mom and farmer's wife. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Jonesboro where she taught Sunday school, led Bible study groups and was active in Women on Missions.

Willa was past president of Treble Clef Music Club, Spring and Twig Garden Club, Daughters of American Revolution, P.E.O. Chapter BN, Twentieth Century Club and Alpha Delta Kappa, a women educator society. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne M. Wiggins, Jr., parents: Lewis Mark and Frances Rorex Burris, and a grandson, Luke Wiggins.

Willa's family wishes to extend special thanks and appreciation to the staff and employees at Craighead County Nursing Center and the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House for the exceptional care given to her.

Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law: Wayne, III and Dr. Nonie Wiggins of Jonesboro;
2 daughters and sons-in-law: Debbie and Dr. Jim Webb of Springfield, Missouri, and Sarah and Pete Murphy of Jonesboro;
6 grandchildren and their spouses: Jake Webb, Dr. Zack and Dr. Clairese Webb, Dr. Mark and Sandra Wiggins, Lance Wiggins, Trevor Murphy and Mallory Murphy; and 2 great granddaughters: Lilly Grace Wiggins and Charlotte May Wiggins, and a great grandson to arrive in February.

Funeral services will be at 11:30 a.m. Thursday in First Baptist Church of Jonesboro with Tim Stewart officiating. Burial will follow in Jonesboro Memorial Park with Emerson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Visitation will precede the funeral service from 10:00-11:30 in the church sanctuary. Active pallbearers include Eric Grant, Dan Purnell and Willa's grandsons. Honorary pallbearers include: Donna Brand, Roselyn Horner, Dick Holman, John St.Clair, Willa's Bridge Club members and the ladies of P.E.O. Chapter BN.

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to: First Baptist Church Care Center, 701 S. Main, Jonesboro, AR 72401, Salvation Army, 800 Cate Ave., Jonesboro 72401, P.E.O. Chapter BN Scholarship Fund, Alzheimers Arkansas, 201 Markham Center Dr., Little Rock, AR 72205, or a charity of the donor's choice.