Karen Dee Wiggins

Karen was born on October 4, 1958, in South Ruislip, England. Her father served in the United States Air Force, so she grew up in several places, including the Philippines, Mississippi, and Tampa, Florida. In high school, she was a dancerette and a diver. Her love for sports stayed with her throughout her life.

Karen earned her education degree from Bob Jones University and devoted 37 years to Christian education. During those years, she taught at every grade level and coached diving, softball, and volleyball. Teaching was more than a career to Karen. It was part of her calling. She loved students, believed deeply in Christian education, and faithfully served the families and schools God placed in her life.

Karen spent the final six years of her career at Calvary Christian Academy, most recently serving as Dean of the Secondary School. She loved CCA and poured herself into its students, families, faculty, and leaders. She was steady and trusted, and she served without needing attention or recognition. She simply saw what needed to be done and did it. Students and adults alike knew that Karen genuinely cared about them.

Karen married Matt Wiggins on June 1, 1985. They shared more than four decades of marriage, family, faith, ministry, laughter, and life. Karen was Matt’s faithful companion and the love of his life. Together, they built their lives around Jesus, their family, and serving others.

Karen loved being a mother to her four daughters: Ashley Wiggins; Courtney Romano and her husband, Jason; Jessi Hilton and her husband, Joshua; and Brittany Holley and her husband, Dylan.

She was “Mae Mae” to her 12 grandchildren: Abigail, Kaden, Rosslynn, Hudson, Christian, Emma, Sarah, Erin, Autumn, Ava, Addie, and Alivia. Karen loved her grandchildren deeply. She celebrated them, supported them, laughed with them, and made sure each one knew how much they were loved.

Karen is survived by her husband, Matt; her daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren; and her siblings, Wayne Coates and his wife, Dolly; Kathy Langenhop and her husband, Tom; Darren Coates and his wife, Deborah; Dana Coates; and Kelly Kemper and her husband, Bob. She was preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Ruth Coates, nephew, Jason Coates, and sister in law, Brenda Coates.

Karen found real joy and satisfaction in the life God had given her. She loved sports, especially football and baseball, and she had a keen passion for cooking competition shows. Her smile was wonderful, and her laugh was infectious. She welcomed people easily, remained deeply loyal to those she loved, and had a way of making others feel accepted and at home.

Women’s ministry was important to Karen, as was the work of Compassion International. Her faith was not something she only spoke about. It shaped the way she lived, loved, taught, served, and faced every season of her life.

John 11, the story of Lazarus, was especially meaningful to Karen. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Her family grieves deeply, but not without hope. Karen’s illness was intense, but it did not have the final word. Jesus did. Karen is now completely healed and in the presence of the Savior she loved and faithfully served.

A Celebration of Karen’s Life will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Calvary PSL, 5555 St. James Boulevard, Port St. Lucie, Florida 34983.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Compassion International in Karen’s honor.