Elsie Clayton Wiggins

RALEIGH –Elsie Clayton Wiggins of Raleigh passed away on Saturday, February 26th, at the age of ninety-seven. She was a devoted wife to her husband, JP Wiggins for 65 years, a loving mother, mama/grandma/mawmaw, great grandmother, and a friend to all she met. She was the daughter of the late Warner Earl Clayton, and Willie Nichols Clayton and grew up as the middle of 3 children on a farm in Langton, Ontario, Canada for many of her childhood years. When she returned to the United States for her senior year of high school, she lived in Danville, Virginia. Elsie and JP were inseparable. He was the love of her life. She loved her family, her chosen family, her Lord and her church. She didn’t want recognition but was always there for others and had a true servant’s heart. Canning, freezing vegetables from the garden and quilting were skills that not only provided for her family, but skills she enjoyed sharing with others. Elsie worked for many years at FCX and retired from the NC DMV in 1989. Elsie leaves a legacy that will enrich our lives for many years to come. She is survived by her son, James Earl Wiggins and daughter, Arlene Wiggins Barbour. Also surviving are 4 grandchildren, Morgan Barbour, Brett Barbour, Missy Mabry and husband Trent, Sandi Pinkus, 6 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandson. She also leaves behind special friends and chosen family, Devon and Frances Holmes, Jason, and Melissa (husband John) and all their children who grew up loving her, as their grandma. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews and a large and loving extended family. In addition to her husband, J.P., she was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter-in-law, Linda Wiggins and her brothers, Edward and Guy Clayton.  Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 2:00 PM at Garner Advent Christian Church, Garner. Burial will follow at Montlawn Memorial Park, Raleigh. The family will receive friends from 12:30 PM - 1:45 PM at the church prior to the service. Flowers are welcomed or memorial contributions can be made to Garner Advent Christian Church - 1120 Vandora Springs Rd, Garner, NC 27529 or Camp Dixie - 373 W Bladen Union Church Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28306. The family wants to extend a special thanks to Teresia Jackson, who was a wonderful caregiver in the last few weeks of our mom’s life. We also want to express our thanks to the staff on 3rd Floor UNC Johnston Health, Smithfield.