Willa Mae Giggans

Willa Wesson (Giggans) was born April 10, 1921 in Morrilton, Arkansas, the only child of Wesley and Bernice Wesson. Bernice Wesson’s sister died and raised Willa with her cousins Atha, Gladys, Cumire, and Clifton “Doc” Robertson.

Willa accepted Jesus Christ as her savior at the age of 10. She began singing in different churches before elementary school. She served The Lord by singing in the Jr. Choir, Senior Choir, and was a member of B.Y.P.U., Missionary Society, and Sunday school at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Little Rock Arkansas.

Because of her scholastic ability, she graduated from Dunbar High School in three years. She graduated from Dunbar Jr. College, attended Philander Smith College, and Bremerton Business College.

On July 21, 1940 she was united in holy matrimony to Frank C. Giggans Sr. They taught in the High School at Magnolia, Arkansas. They later moved to Bremerton, Washington in order to pursue more essential war work. They had 2 children—Bernice Giggans and Frank Giggans Jr.

She worked in the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard as a draftsman, a file clerk in ordinance plan files, a clerk in the identification office, and time keeper for shop 07. She worked in the shipyard for 10 years.

Willa also worked as a retail sales clerk for Perry Ave. T.B.M. and Thriftway.

After moving to Bremerton, she joined Ebenezer A.M.E. church where she served The Lord in the Sunday School, the Senior and Gospel choirs, the missionary society, the stewardess board, and steward board. She was also an ordained deaconess.

She loved to sing, cook, bake, decorate cakes, can, sew, garden, do needlework, crochet, curl hair, and help people. She loved people as if they were a part of her own family.

Mrs. Giggans departed this life for Eternal Rest on Tuesday Oct. 18th.

Frank C. Giggans Sr. preceded her in death December 1983. She is survived by her son Frank Giggans Jr.,

daughter Bernice Flennaugh (husband Dr. Bob Flennaugh), grandchildren Robert Flennaugh II, Damon Flennaugh (wife Yukiko), great grandchildren Jaden Flennaugh, Sydney Flennaugh, Nicole Flennaugh, and Trejan Flennaugh. She also leaves behind nephews James Giggans Jr., Dwaine Giggans, niece Dorothy Woods, and a host of wonderful Family and friends.

Acknowledgements

The family wishes to acknowledge with deep appreciation the many expressions of love, concern and kindness shown to them during their hour of bereavement.

May God bless you and keep you.

Giggans -Flennaugh family