Tanah V. Wigley
Tanah V. Wigley, 101, slipped from this world and into heaven on Friday, November 20, 2020. She passed peacefully, surrounded by her family.
The sixth of ten children, Tanah was born October 4, 1919, atop Sand Mountain in Fyffe, Al., to Martha Viola and JB Hudgens. She attended school when she could and taught herself to read using an old edition of “Peck’s Bad Boy” she found in a back porch kindling box. Although her young life must have been difficult, she spoke of it often and with such fondness. At the age of 16, she married Willie Harvey Wigley who was 24 years old and absolutely adored her. They had three daughters, Glenda Fay, Shelba Jean, and Patricia Ann. After moving from Alabama to Michigan, Maryland, and Georgia to work as a welder, Harvey finally settled his family in Chattanooga.
Along with being a doting mother and excellent homemaker, Tanah spent her time sewing, cooking, canning, crocheting, and quilt-making – most of this done out of necessity rather than enjoyment. Attending church whenever the doors were open, and known to many as “Sister Wigley,” she was active in women’s ministries and taught Sunday School until recent years when she regretfully had to stop due to failing eyesight. She was a faithful member of the Spring Creek Church of God in East Ridge and attended regularly as long as she was able. The family would like to especially thank Pastor Mills, Pastor Stovall, and the precious congregation for years of love, concern, and attentiveness.
Perhaps those who got her sweetest hugs, relished her undivided attention, and most benefitted from doubtless hours of prayer are her five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren by whom she will forever be referred to as “Mamaw.” Also, she was pleased to welcome two great-great-grandsons earlier this year. “Five generations!” she would proudly say.
Paramount to anything that can be said about Tanah Wigley, is that her sole passions in life were being a committed Christian and fierce prayer warrior. She loved Jesus. In fact, if you are reading this, she would want you to know Jesus and accept Him as your Savior. She would want you to know, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” (Romans 10:9-10 NIV)
Tanah is survived by her daughters, Glenda Brown of Chattanooga, Shelba (Jim) Huskey of Chattanooga, Pat (Howard) Thompson of Tullahoma; grandchildren, Tanya (Eddie) Adams, Wendy (Mitch) Corder; Greg (Tammy) Samples, Jamie (Tara) Huskey; great-grandchildren: Sarah (Blake) Holland, Meghan (Wes) Williams, Kara (Christian) Hartnett, Ellen (Erik) Chapman, Hannah (Austin) Shirey; great-great-grandsons, William Hartnett and Hudson Williams; and many cherished nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 73 years, Willie Harvey Wigley, her grandson, Jeffrey Scott Samples, and siblings, Gustie Freeman Brown, Myrtie Turner, Ruby Freeman, Thursey Brown, Samuel Hudgens, Cecil Hudgens, Sanford Hudgens, Nancy Hudgens, and Cora Lee Clark.
Due to the pandemic, graveside services will be private and there will be no visitation.
Arrangements are by the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, 404 South Moore Road, East Ridge, Tn.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com.