Karen Bailey Wiggins

Karen was born on July 31, 1941 in a $2 per month tenant house on the backside of Smithville, NC. which is now under Lake Norman. Her parents, Willis and Evelin Bailey raised Karen and her siblings on a small loving farm on Bailey Rd in Cornelius, NC. With the road bearing their namesake, their little piece of heaven became known as “Bailey Hollow.” Farming and raising animals was their way of life. They were taught a simpler life, one that would forever set the character of Karen and her siblings.

She had close family ties with so many fond memories of Bailey Hollow. One she loved to tell was how she would sneak a pinch of mom’s snuff when she was 3-years old. A habit that she would keep until the morning she died.

Despite growing, marriage, and relocating, Karen always kept her farming heritage. Plowed dirt, cows and chickens were a common staple throughout her life, it’s just who she was. Raising chickens and selling eggs to the community is what she did until her last day.

Karen also worked along side her youngest son, Harrill Wiggins Jr, and her racing family for over 30 years. She was the patriarch of Phantom Racing Chassis, and was known throughout the racing industry as “mom.” She was everyone’s “mom.” Early to rise, mom was the first one thru the door every day, where she did various assembly jobs that went into building racing chassis that have been sold all over the US.

Her sweet loving spirit forever changed those who were around her. Her simple life and strong faith in her Lord and Savior changed the world around her. Karen was a prayer warrior. The prayers this woman has uttered in private have moved mountains, changed lives, and done things that we will not know this side of heaven.

Karen is preceded by her husband Harrill S. Wiggins, Sr., and her brother Coy Bailey, and her sisters Vivienne Brown and Tamara Knox. Karen is survived by her sons Russell Avery (Deborah) and Harrill S. Wiggins, Jr. (Staci). She was also survived by her grandchildren Brittany Wiggins Thompson (Trey) and Misty Avery Wilson (James) and Lacey Avery and 3 great grand children.