Nell Thomas Wiygul

Nell Thomas Wiygul passed away on November 10, 2013 in Ridgeland, Mississippi. She was born Nell Smith Thomas on July 31, 1924 in Booneville Mississippi, to Eleanor Smith Thomas and Claude Baxter Thomas. It was a time and place hard for us to imagine today. Nell liked to tell the story of how when her grandfather arrived at Booneville in the 19th century, the local Chickasaw tribe had just moved on and left a pet raccoon still tied to a tree. Growing up in the Great Depression left her with a great deal of thrift and determination that served her well later in life. She graduated from Booneville High School, and went on to what was then the Mississippi College for Women, now the Mississippi University for Women. She later graduated from Bowling Green State College, which is now Middle Kentucky State. She often spoke fondly of working after graduation at Lucky Star Industries in Tupelo, Mississippi, which made Levi’s blue jeans when they were still work pants and not a fashion item. She married Dr. Frank Wiygul, who she met on a blind date in Tupelo, in November 1956. They lived in Jackson, Mississippi for the next 57 years. Nell was the sole female presence in a household of four men, and more than held her own in that position. She was active in the United Methodist Women, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and other community organizations. She was active in and supported the public schools in Jackson at a time when that was not without controversy. Nell was a devoted preserver of family recipes, some going back to the early 20th century, and was well known for her cooking, especially her cobblers. She loved gardening, particularly native plants and wildflowers, and genealogy. She worked as an accountant for many years, and in her 60’s and 70’s she acted as a volunteer tax preparer for what she described as “older people,” a group to which she did not consider that she belonged. Nell liked travel and new experiences. In her 60’s she developed a taste for sushi that she retained until the end of her life. She was one of those people who do the hard work that keeps a community functioning. She greatly enjoyed her extended family of all degrees, especially children, grandchildren, and daughters in law. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Frank M. Wiygul Jr, sons Dr. Frank Mitchell Wiygul, III, Robert Baxter Wiygul (Julia Weaver), and Thomas Jacob Wiygul (Catherine); grandchildren Thomas, Emma, Rachel, Amelia and Caroline; sister Julia Ruth McElroy; and many in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends.

A memorial service will be held at Galloway United Methodist Church at 3:00, November 12, 2013, with visitation at 2:00. In lieu of flowers the family invites donations to Stewpot Community Services, Jackson. Online guestbook www.wrightferguson.com