Lillian Estelle Cooper-Wiggins

Our mommy left this earth and went home to be with Jesus on October 26, 2022. Beloved daughter of Ben and Fannie Coleman Cooper, she grew up with her parents and six (6) siblings in a house on the river at 910 John Street Cincinnati, Ohio.

In 1950, she took a bus to Washington, DC seeking a government job. She passed the federal exam and worked as a file clerk with the Navy Dept. Soon after, she enlisted in the US Marine Corps Reserve. While trying to establish a foothold in Washington, she also worked in establishments along the U Street corridor namely the Hollywood, 652 and Mattie's Sportsman's Inn. In 1956, she entered the Miss Washington pageant as its first Black contestant.

In 1957, she went to work at the Ghanian embassy as an information officer traveling often to Africa with government officials and the press corps. In 1962, she decided to be a reporter and got a job with the Washington Afro American newspaper writing obituaries and delivering papers. By the end of the 1960's, she was covering politics including flying with Vice President Herbert Humphrey on Air Force 2 during the 1968 presidential campaign. She then began writing editorials and established her own column "From the Desk of Lil". By 1974, she was the Afro's Women's Editor. For her dedicated civic service, the Council of the District of Columbia proclaimed by resolution March 29, 1980 as Lillian Cooper Wiggins Day.

In 1981, she left the Afro for a position on Mayor Marion Barry's first DC Lottery Board. Two years later, she returned to journalism reporting with the Washington Informer. She was elected Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner for 4C03 and in 1991, Mayor Sharon Pratt Dixon nominated her to serve on DC's Taxicab Commission. She continued to write, appear on radio and had a show on local cable television. She also served for many years as Chair of the IACT board in Indian Acres and was past President of the Washington Chapter of Tots and Teens. Mommy was always very passionate about helping others.

She was preceded in death by her husband Adolphus "Face" Wiggins, adopted daughter Sarah (BeBe) Ikenna, and grandson Baby Wiggins. She is survived by her two children, son Michael Anthony Wiggins and daughter Karen Ann Wiggins, grandchildren Edythe, Nailah, Edem, Monique and Michaela, ten (10) great grandchildren and a host of other family and friends.

The family wishes to thank everyone for their prayers and expressions of love. Lillian Estelle Cooper-Wiggins