Anna Wiggins, 80, born Anna Gretchen Williams, of DeRidder, passed away at home surrounded by family and friends on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023. She was born on Jan. 29, 1942, at Saint Francis Hospital in Monroe, La., to her late parents, Howard Williams and Mary Gretchen Rainbolt Williams. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, David Claud Wiggins of DeRidder; daughters, Barbara Lynn Wiggins Erpelding (Rick) of DeRidder, and Lori Ann Wiggins Kougl (Jason) of Edmond, Okla.; son, John David Wiggins of Fort Worth, Texas; sister, Patti Hughes (Bill) of Farmerville, La.; brother, James “Jim” H. Williams (Janet) of Monroe, La.; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews. She was also surrounded by a great number of friends (as she never met a stranger).
Anna graduated from Ouachita Parish High School in Monroe, La. She attended University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM), during her attendance it was Northeast Louisiana University. She married her husband in November 1962. A man she had known most of her life, but never dated. They went to a movie one night and there was never anyone else for either of them after that. She followed her husband, who was an Army Officer around the United States and overseas to Germany.
She was never someone to sit idle. While in Germany, she led the efforts to establish a kindergarten. The kindergarten was a big success and she received several accolades. She departed Germany and moved to Monroe, La., for a year while her husband was in Vietnam. There she spent most of her time raising their 2 daughters. Upon her husband’s return from Vietnam, they were assigned to Fort Eustis, Va. While in Virginia, their third child was born, a boy. Upon departure from Fort Eustis, VA, they were relocated to Fort Polk, LA. While at Fort Polk, she joined a Ladies Flower Club and eventually became President. She also helped as a volunteer in the school system. She also became involved in making bread-doe flowers and metal flowers, which were made from big sheet of metal used to print the local newspaper. She also became involved in ceramics. After Fort Polk, she followed her husband to Fort Leavenworth, Kan., for a year and then back to Fort Polk.
While there, she again became involved with the lady’s flower club, a volunteer in the school system, ceramics, the Junior Women’s League, and the Officers Wives Club. She was Treasurer of the Wives Club and only stepped down when her husband retired from the Army.
She stayed in DeRidder and was hired to manage the Pier One located there. In 1984, she purchased the Pier One store. After 5 years, she sold the Pier One franchise back to Pier One and renamed the store Curious Cargo. She has been the successful owner since. During this same period, she became involved with the theater group. Not only did she own and operate a successful business, but she was a driving force in improving and stabilizing the Impromptu Player (IP). She was also instrumental in finding the IP a permanent home to conduct their plays. She was president for over 30 years and only recently stepped down due to her health. She directed plays (never wanting to act herself), and she also prepared all the meals for the dinner theaters.
During this time, she received a number of awards and decorations. She was appointed to the Mardi Gras Court of the Junior Women’s League in 1991. She was elected to be the Queen of the Mardi Gras Court in 2011, and later was selected to be the Queen of the Krewe de Piniere de Beauregard. She was the Southwest Businesswoman of the Year, Small Business of the Year on several occasions, and was the Grand Marshall for the Christmas Parade and the Grand Marshall for the Fair Parade.
During the above timeframe, she was also very active in supporting her children in their various activities in the school system. She worked concession stands, helped clean uniforms, helped with fund drives, transported children to a number of sports activates and was there when needed. She was also on a variety of committees at the DeRidder First United Methodist Church.
Anna was a very supportive, kindhearted woman who would give you the shirt off her back and did not know how to say no to a good cause. She will be cherished forever and will leave a big vacant spot in a lot of people’s heart.
Preceded in death by her parents, James Howard and Mary Gretchen Williams; mother-in-law, Ida Mae Wiggins; grandson, Andrew Michael Erpelding.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Tony Dodson, Butch Scarbrough, Rick Erpelding, Hugh DuBose, Kevin Erpelding, and Jason Kougl.
Honored to serve as honorary pallbearer, granddaughter, Sarah Upchurch.
Visitation will be on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Labby Memorial Funeral Home in DeRidder, La. Funeral service will be held Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, with a visitation starting at 10 a.m. until the time of the service which will begin at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in DeRidder with the Rev. Laraine Waughtal, pastor, and the Rev. George Lee Glass, pastor of Grace Church, officiating. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in DeRidder, La. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care and direction of Labby Memorial Funeral Home of DeRidder.
Words of comfort to the family may be shared at www.labbymemorial.com.