They were all born in 1916.

Many of these became household names due to their appearances in movies and on television.  Cecil Wiggins was not as well known as the others, but she outlived them all.  She passed from this life on February 25, 2022, at the age of 105, just one month shy of her 106th birthday on March 20.

She didn’t live as flamboyantly as the others listed above who were born the same year as she.  She lived a quiet but profound life.  She is worthy of much honor.

Cecil’s life was characterized by faith, love, and fortitude.

She grew up very poor.  But she worked hard, saved money, and never wasted anything.  Shortly before World War II, she began employment at Brookley Air Force Base as a secretary.  After the base closed, she worked 10 more years for the Mobile County (AL) Tax Collector.

She cared deeply.  Much of her life was spent caring for others.  She helped care for her uncle, her grandmother, her mother, her two sisters-in-law who both suffered with cancer, her husband, and her brother.  She cared for women who were staying in the YWCA and came to visit the Government St. Church of Christ (where Cecil was a member) which met across the street.

She was a Christian.  Her life and legacy are a part of the heritage of churches of Christ in Mobile, AL.  She was baptized into Christ in 1933 by A.H. Maner, preacher for the Church St. Church of Christ.  She remained faithful to the Lord, to the church, and to her quest to serve the Lord for the rest of her life.

Cecil was a member of the Government St. Church of Christ for many years.  She attended services there regularly and was very active in all church functions, including teaching Bible classes and single-handedly writing, mimeographing, sorting, and mailing the weekly church bulletin for several years following her retirement.  Due to declining numbers, the Government St. church disbanded, and its remaining members assimilated into other congregations in the area.  That’s when Cecil and her family became members of the Creekwood Church of Christ.  Cecil was present for the last worship service of the Government St. church in December of 1990.  The last hymn that was sung was, “There Is a Habitation.”

There is a habitation Built by the living God,
For all of every nation Who seek that grand abode

O Zion, lovely Zion, I long they gates to see;
O Zion, lovely Zion, When shall I dwell in thee?
- J.H. Rosecrans

That habitation is prepared for those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  The habitation awaits those who continue to follow Jesus faithfully for the rest of their lives (Revelation 2:10).

Cecil Wiggins lived nearly 106 years.  Because of Jesus, 106 years are just a few drops of water in an endless sea, for those who, like Cecil Wiggins, love Jesus and follow Him all of their days.

-- David A. Sargent