Patsy Joyce Wiggins

Patsy Joyce Wiggins (Pat), 91, of Burna, Kentucky, passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home in Lakeland, Florida, Thursday morning July 27, 2023, surrounded by her daughter and son. Born on February 7, 1932, to Coy Bryan Gilland and Mary Pauline Gilland.  She was one of 8 children in the Gilland family.  She married Eugene L. Wiggins (Gene) September 5th, 1948 who preceded her in death on November 21st, 1992.

Soon after Pat and Gene married, they moved to Northwest Indiana to find employment.  They lived there for many years raising their two children, Joyce and Dale, amongst many nieces and nephews. 

Pat exemplified the power of working mothers in the 1950s and 60s ensuring Joyce and Dale every opportunity to achieve advanced degrees.  Pat was a beloved waitress at the infamous Dean’s Admiral Restaurant and enjoyed serving her customers as much as they enjoyed her top-notch service.

Over the years, they returned to the farm every summer.  After Gene retired with 33 years as a Journeyman Millwright at US Steel in Gary, Indiana, they moved back home to Burna, Kentucky, to enjoy life on the farm. Pat was an active member of Creekside General Baptist, Marion KY and provided food and comfort to so many of her friends, neighbors and fellow church members. Patsy also worked at Livingston Hospital in housekeeping for many years to ensure cleanliness and comfort for the local community.    

Pat believed in the power of hard work and deep, unconditional love.  She loved sitting on her porch swing, listening to her wind chimes, enjoying her flowers, gardening, watching the deer in the fields from her kitchen window, and cooking and baking for her family and friends. But, what she loved most of all, was her family. Her home was everyone’s home - where family gathered for hay rides, bon fires, pig roasts, cookouts, or any other reason to have a good time. She welcomed all with her special hugs she so lovingly, offered to everyone who was lucky to have known her. Patsy will be dearly missed by her family and friends whose pictures adorn the walls of her home and every inch of her refrigerator door. 

Pat is survived by her daughter Joyce Barclay, son Lendel (Dale) Wiggins (Diane), granddaughters Kathleen Erwin (Randy), Lori Wilkie (Chambler), Alison Saine (Josh), and Megan Fanale (Jim), great grandchildren, Carly (Josh), Tristan, Colton, Brayden, Julia, and Addison, and her sister Doris Dameron and many beloved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Coy Bryan Gilland and Mary Pauline Davidson, husband, Eugene Lendel Wiggins, of 44 years, son-in-law, Don Barclay and brothers/sisters, James Gilland, Harold Gilland, Billy Joe Gilland, Becky Stallion, and Lois Millikan.

“Love you more” will ring in our ears for years to come!

Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 11th, 2023, at 1 PM at Boyd’s Funeral Home Salem, KY, with final interment at Cedar Grove Cemetery, Burna, KY.  Friends may visit with the family on Friday, from 12 Noon until the funeral hour.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Creekside General Baptist Church, 1230 Lola Road, Salem, KY  42078.  Memorial contribution envelopes will also be available at the funeral home, for those in attendance the day of the service.