Wilma Sue Watkins Wiginton, age 93, of Gardendale, Alabama, was welcomed into the loving arms of our gracious Heavenly Father on August 8, 2026. She was born on July 13, 1933, in Detroit, Alabama.
Sue was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who loved and cared for her family with wisdom and grace.
She met her beloved husband, James, in high school when they were 15, and the two became sweethearts. James loves to tell the story of the first time he saw her through a window at a party. He turned to a friend and said, “I’m going to marry that girl.” They married on August 3, 1950, when they were both just 17 years old, only days before James left to serve in the Korean War. It was the beginning of a true love story that would span more than seven decades. On August 3rd, Sue and James celebrated their 76th wedding anniversary together.
Sue was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Hollis Watkins; and her siblings, Avis Watkins Twitty, Mary Watkins Creamer, and Travis Dee Watkins.
Sue is survived by her loving husband, William James Wiginton; her three children, Cathy Wiginton Allen (Bob), Karen Wiginton Machen (Mike), and James Michael Wiginton (Kim); her grandchildren, Heather Allen Brown (Barry), Susannah Allen Boulware (Thomas), Sophia Marie Machen, Rachel Kate Wiginton, and Sam McDaniel; and eight great-grandchildren, Anna Catherine, Hall, Sara Allen, Brayden, Christopher, Chace, Collier, and Caleb, who brought her endless joy.
Sue will be remembered for her unwavering devotion to her family and the deep, enduring love she shared with James. A devoted follower of Jesus, she reflected His love in the way she treated others. She will also be treasured as a wonderful storyteller, full of warmth, wisdom and gentle grace. Her family will carry her memory and that love forward.
Sue will be laid to rest at Oakwood Memorial Gardens in Gardendale. Family will gather privately to honor and celebrate her life on September 4 at Mountain Brook Baptist Church in Birmingham.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or to a charity of your choosing.
