Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm on Monday, March 24, 2025 at Hathorn Funeral Home in Columbia for Gertrude Wiginton, 81, of Jayess, who passed away Thursday, March 20, 2025 at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg. Interment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia. Pastor Jerron Carney will officiate the services.

The Wiginton family will receive guests on Monday morning from 10:00 am up until the hour of service at 1:00 at Hathorn Funeral Home.

Gertrude was a woman of vibrant spirit and unwavering dedication. Her love for life was evident in her many passions: she found solace and joy in gardening, exploring new horizons through travel and vacations, and immersing herself in the pages of a good book. An avid outdoors enthusiast, she enjoyed the tranquility of fishing. Her compassionate nature shone brightly through her career as a nurse at Southwest Regional Medical Center, where she was honored as Nurse of the Year, a testament to her exceptional care and commitment. "Gertrude loved her family dearly."

She was preceded in death by her Husband, James E. Wiginton; her Parents, Woodrow & Susie Johnson Simmons; two Brothers, Alton Simmons, Elton Simmons; and one Sister, Lula Sue Powell.

Her memory will be forever cherished by her Son, Matthew Alan Wiginton (Cynthia); her two Daughters, Pamela Kaye Calhoun (Robert), Deborah Gaye Ward (Dwayne); her Step-Son, Glen Wiginton; her Step-Daughter, Cindy Miller (Wiley); sixteen Grandchildren, Dewayne Thornhill, Josh Thornhill (Jess), Meichelle Knoblock (Mike), Darla Price (Steven), Brooke Manos, Christy Ward, Misty Mason (Nick), D'D' Voss (Joel), Josie Wiginton, Bobby Joe Miller (Jenny), Misty Kessler (Jason), Crystal Rowley (Jamie), Ashley Griffis (Chris), Damien Miller (Kimmie), Patrick Wiginton (Crystal), Thomas Wiginton; and a host of Great Grandchildren, Great Great Grandchildren, Nieces, Nephews, & Friends.

Mrs. Wiginton will be carried to her final rest by those honored to serve as Pallbearers; they will be Zachary Broom, Sammie Broom, Matthew Broom, Kevin Harvey, Devin Broom, and Colin McIntosh.

Hathorn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Friends may sign an online guest register book at www.hathornfuneralhome.com