James Howard Wiggins • June 3, 2022
James Howard Wiggins, native of Monroeville, Alabama, and longtime resident of Pensacola, Florida, departed this world for his eternal home with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, June 3, 2022.
James was born to the late John and Katie Wiggins on March 14, 1932. He grew up to serve his country in the United States Army before meeting the love of his life, Erline Friday Frith. The fact that Erline was a young widow with 3 little girls did not discourage him. He knew how special she was and did not hesitate to step into their lives as a devoted husband and father. They moved to Pensacola where he had a successful career at Monsanto for 35 years. James and Erline would later add one more girl to their wild bunch, Katy Elizabeth. He was able to retire at age 58, allowing him to enjoy fishing, gardening, traveling, visiting the mountains and cooking. He loved his church family and was a member of East Brent Baptist Church and Bellview Baptist Church.
He is preceded in death by 6 brothers; 3 sisters; daughter, Kathy Frith Lee; and son-in-law, David Harker. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Erline; daughters, Kim Ryals, Kay Harker and Katy Wiggins; granddaughters, Heather Nelson, Kelsey (Austin) Anderson, Taylor (Brian) Palmer; great granddaughters’ Kaylin Holley, Irie Palmer, Emma Palmer as well as son-in-laws, Marty Lee and Ricky Nelson.
James’ unconditional, selfless love for Erline was an inspiration to us all. We will miss his laugh, sarcastic winks, the way he called us “Darlin”, and maybe most of all, his fried squash and hushpuppies. We love you PawPaw. Say hi to Kathy for us, and we will see you again soon. Love, Your Girls.
Services to honor James’ life will be held at Pensacola Memorial Gardens Funeral Home Wednesday, June 8, 2022. The family will receive friends for visitation from 11:30am-12:00pm with funeral to begin at 12:00pm. Graveside services to follow. Services will be presented by Brother Dale Patterson and Steve Bruce. Pallbearers will be Austin Anderson, Brian Palmer, Jacob Price, Jay Fisher, Burton Fisher and Ben Stone.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Shriner’s Children’s Hospital.
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So sorry for your loss! I will keep your family in my prayers.
My sincere condolences 💐
So sorry! Many memories!!!!
So sorry for the passing of James, will keep family in my prayers 🙏.
So sorry for the passing of James.
I am so very sorry for your loss. My mother (Ann Lambert Lemley) loved her Uncle James and shared many stories of when they were young. Prayers for the family as you grieve.
So sorry to hear of your loss, prayers for you all.
This message makes me very sad. Uncle James was a big part of my childhood whenever we went to Alabama every summer. He had a 1959 Oldsmobile everyone in Monroe County called “The Blue Goose” and I thought it was the neatest car ever made. It had two speeds, stop and very fast! I will miss him even though it has been a long time since I’ve seen him because he, like all the Wiggins’, were important in my childhood. Rest in peace Uncle James in time l shall see you again. Prayers for the family, I send my love.
Sincere condolences to your family
Y’all are in my thoughts and prayers
My thoughts and prayers are with each and everyone of you. I was blessed to have actually been able to grow up with your family. Kathy being my best friend since we were about 9 years old made me the 5th daughter of your family. I always said he was a very special man to love and accept a woman with three little girls to marry and Rais them as his own. “James” as we’d say behind his back, you will be missed!!
Prayers for the Wiggins family🌹
Sincere condolences. Thoughts and prayers to all the family.
Mr. Wiggins will certainly be missed🙏
So very sorry for your loss, mr.wiggins was a great man! He will be truly missed. Prayers for your family.