Arthur Allen Wiggins

Arthur Allen Wiggins passed away early Saturday morning September 9, 2023. Born in Mullins, South Carolina November 25, 1946, Allen was a Boy Scout and played basketball, baseball and football in high school. After high school, Allen joined the Navy on December 27, 1965 where he served on the USS Hunterdon County LST-838 as a Radio Operator. During Vietnam, he patrolled the rivers on the River Boat Patrol Unit TF 116. He also played basketball in the Navy while being stationed in Australia. He was awarded the National Defense Service award. The Vietnam Service Medal (Bronze) and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. He was discharged from the Navy as an E-4 on December 26, 1971.

Allen returned home to meet and fall in love with his wife, Karen, while getting a job with Southern Bell (later BellSouth and then AT&T). Allen and Karen enjoyed traveling with Allen’s baseball teams, the Men’s West Columbia Rebels Fast Pitch Softball, and Men’s Sub Station II Fast Pitch Softball. They traveled the Southeast playing tournaments. They even made it to the Nationals in Fargo, North Dakota and in Bakersfield, California. Allen and Karen enjoyed traveling with their church group, family events, square dancing and shagging.

Allen was very active in his church at Crossroads World Outreach Center. He was a member of the choir, a Greeter, a Head Usher, and an Elder. He served as a Constable for the USC Athletic Department. Allen was also a member of the Lexington County American Legion.

He is survived by his wife, Karen Elise Atkinson Wiggins; 2 children, Jason Wiggins and Marti (CE) Chavis, and 4 grandchildren Ellie Chavis, Dakota Chavis, Harrison Chavis, and Leyla Pearl Chavis. He is also survived by 2 sisters, Kay (CW) Hayes and Patsy (Allen) Austin, and 2 brothers Charles (Renee) Wiggins and Steve (Cathy) Wiggins. There are numerous nieces and nephews who he loved to joke around with. He was predeceased in death by his Father, Lois Wiggins and his Mother, Doris Brown Wiggins.

The celebration of Allen’s life will be held on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at Southland Memorial Gardens Chapel located at 700 West Dunbar Road, West Columbia, SC 29170. Visitation will begin at 11:00 AM with the graveside burial service to follow at 1:00 PM. Pallbearers will be Eddie Hayes, Roy Bauer, Robbie Bauer, Josiah Craft, Elijah Craft, and Bethany Craft.

Memorials can be made to Crossroads World Outreach Center at 2606 Emanuel Church Road, West Columbia, SC, https://www.cwoconline.org/giving/

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.caughmansouthland.com for the Wiggins family.