Elaine Wiggs

My best friend, my soul mate, the love of my life, Elaine, has gone to be with her maker much too soon. I have never known a more beautiful spirit; full of life, full of love, full of caring for her fellow man. We were happily married for thirty years; it was not enough.

She is survived by her adoring husband, David, dog child Bella and cat children Bandito and Lucky of Orlando; her son Thomas Benjamin Brinson and his wife Cindi; her grandson Michael Brinson all of Minneapolis, MN; her daughter Alise B. McDowell and husband Kevin of Moses Lake, WA.; her myriad friends everywhere; and the Elk Dom of Primrose Lodge 1079.

Some Things She was Proud of Accomplishing:

1. Winning Miss John's Island and Mrs. South Carolina

2. Being included in Outstanding Young Women of America and Who's Who in American Women.

3. Founding and promoting the Memorial Society of Charleston, South Carolina in the 1960's when pre-planning funerals was a dirty word.

4. Serving as President or Board Chairman of many organizations, notably Charleston Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, My Sister's House (home for abused women), first woman president of Kiwanis Club in SC (Distinguished President of North Charleston Cannock Club), first woman to own a commercial real estate company in Charleston (Excel Properties).

5. Many awards while an Investment Officer for South Carolinas Bank and SouthTrust Bank.

6. Teacher of the year for both James Island Middle School and St. Andrews High School. One of 5 top teachers for Charleston County.

Contributions in lieu of flowers are to be sent to charities such as the Orlando Humans Society, The Humane Farming Society (or any charity that protects animals), Nature's Conservatory (or to any organization that is trying to preserve the Earth), the Orlando Union Rescue Mission, or any organization which rescues and cares for abused and abandoned children. No contribution shall be sent to any charity that experiments on animals.

A Memorial service will be held at our home in Rio Pinar, Orlando, among the gardens she created and loved on Sunday, January 12th at 2PM. Those who participate are restricted to speaking about parts of her life that will make hearers happy.

Of her life, Elaine wrote, "Tell them I believed in a God too vast to be contained by any one religion, and of the evolving goodness of mankind. That I passionately loved Life, My Family, Animals, Plants, Mankind, and all parts of Earth and the wonderful Creation of which I was part. That I tried to make my life a force for good. And I ask forgiveness, especially for my acts of non-commission, as I am aware I could have done so much more. That I ask for no other remembrance than that they smile when they think of me."