Donna Lynn Wigginton Reese

Donna Lynn Wigginton Reese, 74, of Charles City, VA, passed away on December 10, 2016 after a brief illness. Born July 27, 1942 to the late Mosby L. Wigginton and Ruth Jones Wigginton in Roanoke, VA, where she met and married her first husband and raised four children.

She is survived by her devoted and loving husband and caregiver, Dawson Reese; brothers, Mosby L. “Chip” Wigginton Jr. (Julia) and Michael W. Wigginton; sister, Cynthia W. Quillon (Robin); four children, Christina Meade Sharkey (Michael), Morrie Meade Horning (Bennie), Philip M. Meade, Jr. (Mindy, deceased) and Melonie Meade Borman (John). Donna also leaves behind sister-in-law, Janet Evans (James), mother-in-law, Annie R. Reese, five grandchildren, Melissa S. Duren (Jonathan), Joshua Sharkey, Bryan Horning (fiancé, Brittany Tuck), Jordan Meade (Nathan Courtney) and Austin E. Meade. She was also great-grandmother to Kaiden, Kyler and Keagan Courtney and Cole Duren. Donna is survived by her first husband, Philip M. Meade (Monica) and Aaron. Her extended family also includes four step children, Cathy Morgan, Susan Antonellini, Lori Heath (Alex) and Steven Reese (Kim) with 9 step-grandchildren, Andrew Reese, Hailey Curl, Ian Antonellini, Danika and Dayton Heath, Kaleb, Brookley, Zayden and Spencer Reese. Left behind also are hosts of very special aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins,.

Donna retired from Verizon Communications after 25 years of service. She was an excellent cook and loved her family and her cats. She was a devoted wife and mother. Donna was also an avid reader, sometimes reading an entire book in a day. She was captivated by antique glass and had amassed an extensive collection, scouring yard sales, rummage shops and antique shops for that perfect piece.

The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Bon Secours Memorial Regional Medical Center for their efforts to continue Donna’s life. She fought valiantly to survive and was surrounded by family as she entered God’s house and left her earthly body behind. She has been and always will be the strength that holds her family together. She encouraged her children to stand and fight for themselves and each other.

In lieu of flowers, Donna would encourage donations to charities that protect and rescue animals. Visitation for Donna Lynn Wigginton Reese will be 12 – 2 pm, Friday, December 16, 2016 at Woody Funeral Home – Parham Chapel, 1771 North Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23229. A graveside service will be conducted at 3:00 pm at Westhampton Memorial and Cremation Park, 10000 Patterson Ave., Richmond, VA with Robin Quillon of the Mormon Church of Johnstown, PA officiating.