Joyce Yvonne Wiggins

Joyce Yvonne Ward Wiggins, 95, widow of Charles L. Wiggins, Sr., passed away peacefully on Friday, June 20, 2025, surrounded by family. Her Funeral Service will be 1:00 PM, June 27, 2025, at Bethany United Methodist Church, 1853 Maybank Highway, Charleston. Burial will follow at Carolina Memorial Park, 7113 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.

Joyce was born on August 21, 1929, in Gainesville, Florida to her loving parents John H. and Yvonne Ward. She attended schools in Gainesville and was in the first class of female students allowed to attend the University of Florida where she obtained an Associate's Degree. She fondly remembered her days as a student at the University.

She met her future husband, Charles L. Wiggins, Sr., at the University. They were wed on April 8, 1951. They began their life together as a proud Navy family. They were stationed on the West Coast, the East Coast, and Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in the Caribbean. Being a child of the depression, she developed a keen sense of resourcefulness that she carried with her as a Navy wife and mother. Joyce was also blessed with parents who raised her to give unconditionally of her love and time. These habits stayed with her throughout her life as her family continued to grow.

She was a devoted Christian and a longtime member of Bethany United Methodist Church on James Island, SC. Her belief in Christ was quite evident in her daily life and interactions with others. She has surely been greeted in heaven with "Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."

She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, where she served several terms as Worthy Matron and Secretary of James Island Chapter No. 284. She also served in several offices in the South Carolina Grand Chapter and traveled to many states as an official representative. She was an active member in chapter activities until her death.

Joyce cherished the many friendships that she made with church members, through the Eastern Star, her life as a Navy wife and her neighbors, especially Beverley and Al, and Betty.

Joyce was a loving and caring daughter, sister, wife, mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother. She was known to all her Grands as "Grandmama Joy". When they came to visit her at her house they were greeted with a cheerful "Who's that knocking on my door?", which always made them laugh.

Joyce is survived by her three children, one daughter, Charla W. Gamble, and two sons, Charles (Chuck) L. Wiggins, Jr. (Jeanne) and John W. Wiggins. Nine Grandchildren, Bryan Gamble (Alyssa), Marie Hartwell (Randy), Cathryn Hines (Chris), Sara Gamble, Charlie Wiggins, Jason Wiggins (Chrissy), David Wiggins, Ashley W. Aicardi (Richard), Christy W. Neipp (Andy). Fourteen Great Grandchildren, Abby and Mary Dubose Gamble, Riley and Jackson Hartwell, William and Charlie Hines, Maya and Cannon Wiggins, Giacobbe, Gianluca, and Giavanna Aicardi, Hadley, Palmer Cate, and Bowen Neipp. One brother Harvey L. Ward, two nephews, Ron Wiggins, Harvey L Ward, Jr., two Nieces, Kathy Ward, Elizabeth Moore, and four Great nieces.

She was predeceased by her husband Charles, her parents John and Yvonne Ward, her in-laws Lawrence and Leona Wiggins, brother J. Howard Ward, brother-in-law Ronnie Wiggins, and nephews John H. Ward, Jr. and Mark Wiggins.

A special thanks to her brother Harvey, and our father's cousin, Fritz Schnauss, who called or wrote her weekly to talk about family, past memories and/or current events, especially the weather. She appreciated the thoughtfulness that it took to make the effort to include her.

Joyce lived a long and bountiful life, sharing her love with her family and friends. She had many memories that she enjoyed sharing. Our duty is to keep her in our thoughts and share our memories of her. She never ended a conversation with any of her family without saying "I love you!"

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorials in Joyce's honor to Bethany United Methodist Church.

Arrangements by James A. McAlister, Inc. (843) 766-1365.

FLOWERS: The family has requestedf memorials instead of flowers. However, if you plan to send flowers, we highly suggest using a local florist instead of ordering from an online vendor. Charleston has many. Kindly ask your florist to deliver all flowers to the funeral home between 2:00 and 4:00 PM Thursday, June 26th.