Betty Wiggins

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- Betty L. Wiggins, 76, of Salem, Ill., formerly of Charleston, died Monday, Feb. 9, 2009, at Salem Township Hospital.

She was born Sept. 28, 1932, in Morehouse, Mo., daughter of Rass L. and Nettie Pearl Sharkey Taylor.

She had lived in Wood River, Ill., many years, moving to Banning, Calif., in 1995. She later returned to Southeast Missouri where she was a member of First Assembly of God Church in Charleston. She had worked in the dietary and housekeeping departments of various medical facilities until ill health forced her retirement in 1987.

She and Carl Lloyd Wiggins were married in 1952. He preceded her in death in 2005.

Survivors include a son, Carl Wiggins of Charleston; two daughters, Deb Gilbert of Anza, Calif., Denise Polivat of East Prairie, Mo.; four brothers, Velton "Pappy" Taylor of Benton, Mo., Roger, James and Burt Taylor, all of Farmingville, Calif.; six grandchildren; and a number of great- grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by an infant son and three sisters.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Gerald Penn officiating. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery.