DR. JOE WILLIE WIGGINS
Dr. Joe Willie Wiggins died peacefully in his sleep on
December 4, 2024. Born April 11, 1923 in Sidon, Mississippi,
he grew up there and in the
surrounding Greenwood,
Mississippi area, the oldest of
seven children. Joe attended
Millsaps College in Jackson,
graduating with a Bachelor of
Arts in 1946, and then attended
medical school at Johns
Hopkins University, where he
met the love of his life, Frances
Ruth Knotts. They were married
after he graduated with a
Doctor of Medicine degree in
1950 and moved to New
Orleans, where Joe completed
his internship at Charity
Hospital in 1951. They then
moved to Starkville, MS where he started medical practice and
expanded his family. Joe served in the Air Force at Bryan Air
Force Base for two years and was discharged with the rank of
Captain. Moving to Vicksburg, MS, he acted as the County
Health Officer providing public health services to three counties,
including the implementation of the polio vaccine.
In 1964 Joe, Frances and their six children moved to
Gainesville, Florida where he began his residency in Pathology
at the University of Florida. His time there involved witnessing
such events as the invention of Gatorade and the game
winning kick against Auburn. He passed his board exams in
Anatomical and Clinical Pathology in 1968. In the summer of
1969, he was recruited by Jacksonville Pathology Associates.
As part of this group, he serviced the local Baptist hospitals,
Riverside Hospital and Memorial Hospital, settling at
Memorial Hospital until his retirement in the mid-1980s.
After retirement, Joe and Frances lived in various locations
throughout Florida including Welaka, St. Augustine Beach
and finally in Jacksonville Beach.
Joe and France were active after Joe's retirement, involving
themselves in the Beaches Meals on Wheels program, St.
Paul's by the Sea cold night shelter, and the Beaches
Democratic Club; they also served as poll workers in the
Beaches area. In earlier years, they enjoyed world travel
including visits to England, France, Scotland, Italy, and
Wales, and were among the first Americans permitted to visit
China in the early 1980s. After 64 years of marriage, Joe lived
nine years after the loss of his wife. He enjoyed his daily crossword
puzzles from the Florida Times Union and The New
York Times, which he always filled out in pen, and he never
missed a Jeopardy episode, answering many of the questions
before the contestants. He followed the Marlins for many
years and enjoyed football games at both the college and professional
level. He was happiest at special occasions and holiday
gatherings, being surrounded by his many family members
and friends, toasting with champagne.
Joe is survived by his brother Glynn Wiggins (Nora) of
Gallatin, TN, his sister Nan Byrne of Natchez, MS, his six children:
Leslie Wiggins-Baker (Steve – deceased), Steven C.
Wiggins (Sharon Campbell), Judy Kouri (Harukazu-deceased),
Sarah W. Bove (Spike), Anne E. Wiggins (Cecil – deceased)
and Joseph J. Wiggins (Alicia) as well as his many grandchildren,
great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and great
nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service will be held at St. Paul's by the Sea
Episcopal Church in early February. Please check his Tribute
online at www.quinn-shalz.com for updated service information.
Arrangements by…

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Published by The Beaches Leader from Jan. 9 to Jan. 10, 2025.