Thomas Wiginton Jr.

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Thomas E. Wiginton Jr., 85, died Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021, at his son's home in Marble Hill.

He was born Dec. 3, 1935, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, to Thomas E. and Ethel Darline Hart Wiginton. He married his wife, Mary Margaret, on May 22, 1983, in Pine Bluff. She preceded him in death on May 21, 2019.

He served nine years in the Arkansas National Guard and was an engineer for the Cotton Belt Railroad for 38 years, retiring in 2000. He was a member of Mount Auburn Christian Church in Cape Girardeau. He also volunteered with the American Red Cross for nearly 30 years.

He is survived by his brother, Joe Wiginton; sister, Nancy Davis; five sons, Trey (Becky) Wiginton, Ross (Heather) Wiginton, Jack Jones Jr., Jeff Jones and Ben (DeShawn) Jones; eight grandchildren, Kathy, Casey, Cody, Sara, Reece, Riley, Celesse and Dillard; two great-grandchildren, Skyler and Chloe; and a whole community who knew him as "Papa Tom."

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and sister, Patsy Weeks.

Visitation held Monday at Mount Auburn Christian Church in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. today at the church, officiated by the Rev. Casey Elmore. Burial will take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Memorial Park Cemetery in White Hall, Arkansas.

Memorial contributions may be given to Mount Auburn Christian Church or Woodland Community Booster Club Scholarship Fund.

Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.