Lorraine "Reenie" Wiggins

Lorraine “Reenie” Wiggins passed away on September 15, 2024 at Hospice of the Golden Isles. She was born on June 17, 1930 in Boston, Massachusetts to William and Esther Rosanna Desmarais Martin. She met her future husband James “Jim” Wiggins in Massachusetts while he was serving in the Air Force. They were married in June 1950 and moved to Jim’s hometown of Brunswick.

She had a 19-year career in banking with the First National Bank in Brunswick, where she served as the first female officer of the bank. After leaving the bank, she and Jim opened a local construction company, Holiday Builders. She and Jim later owned and operated several radio stations, including WYNR in Brunswick, WQDE in Albany and WQDI in Homestead Florida. At the age of 60, following Jim’s death, she applied for and received the FCC license for two local radio stations, WXMK (MAGIC 105.9) and WSEG (STAR 104.1). She built and operated these stations for 10 years.

During her working years, she and Jim enjoyed golf, dining out with friends and entertaining at their home. As owners of the WYNR country music station, they often hosted concerts on Jekyll Island and had many country music legends at their house, including Tanya Tucker, Tom T. Hall, Ronnie Milsap, Charlie Rich and Hank Williams, Jr.

In retirement she took up bridge and played on a weekly basis. She met a whole new group of great friends whom she loved dearly. The three events that she never missed were bridge on Thursdays, her hair appointment on Saturdays, and church on Sundays. She was a long-time member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and Christ Church Frederica.

Reenie had three simple rules for everyday life: everything tastes better in a stemmed glass, it only counts if it’s a two-armed hug, and NEVER get Nanny’s hair wet.

As much as she enjoyed her business and social activities, these were always secondary to her love for her family. She is survived by her daughters Sandy Cooper of Brunswick, Lori Rector (Ron) of Brunswick, and son Jim Wiggins of Paris, Tennessee; grandchildren Brad Cooper (Stacy) of Rydal, Georgia, Kelly Wiggins of Rome, Georgia, Delaney Wiggins of Paris, Tennessee and Ladd Rector of Brunswick. In her later years, she greatly enjoyed the companionship of her loving and faithful dog Lucy.

The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to members of Christ Church, the staff at Homelife on Glynco, and the staff at Hospice of the Golden Isles for the loving care and compassion during her last few months.

The funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, September 20, 2024 at Christ Church Frederica. Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home, www.edomillerandsons.com is entrusted with the arrangements.