Virginia Townsend Wiggins was born to the late Moses and Lillie Townsend in Red Springs, NC on May 18, 1953. She departed this life on Thursday, February 2, 2023 in Silver Spring, MD at the age of 69. Virginia was affectionately known to many as Jenny. She was the baby and the youngest of eleven children.
Virginia was raised in Red Springs, NC and educated in the public schools of Hoke County in Raeford, NC. She moved to Washington, DC after High School and became a Nursing Assistant and Caregiver. Virginia’s heart and motivation was providing loving and compassionate care in the homes of her patients. She never considered being a caregiver to be work, but viewed it as a ministry. God placed her in the lives of some amazing people to provide care for.
After moving to Washington, DC, she met Elijah Wiggins. She and Elijah were united in Holy Matrimony on December 31, 1981. They were married for 41 years. She loved her family, especially her Grandchildren. She took every opportunity to spoil and love on them.
Virginia was always the life of the party and she loved music. She especially loved oldies but goodies, quartet, and traditional gospel. She was vivacious and so full of life. She never met a stranger and loved to talk.
Virginia was definitely one of the best cooks on this side of heaven. If you were blessed, you were able to sample her famous potato salad. It was requested by many for special events and family dinners. Virginia took so much pride in the fact that she made people so happy with her food. Cooking was how she expressed her love and admiration for others. Virginia also had a true gift of style and grace. She loved to decorate and was truly considered a “Diva” when it came to fashion and style.
Virginia was a Prayer Warrior and a bold soldier for Christ. She answered the call to go into ministry and was ordained as a Minister of the Gospel by her brother, Apostle Moses Townsend, Jr. on January 26, 1996. Her sermon was titled, “Separated to be Saved” from Jonah 1:17. She went on to establish House of Love Ministry for the Wounded. The House of Love Ministry was established to help heal those that were hurt and broken and lead them to Christ. Virginia had many sermons in her special notebook that she shared in numerous speaking engagements and her ministerial conferences. Her favorite scripture was Romans 8:28 and it states, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose”. She was a loyal and faithful servant.
Virginia was preceded in death by her beloved son, Vincent Elijah; her parents, Moses and Lillie Townsend; and her brothers Vardell, Artis and Sidney.
Virginia leaves to mourn her memory, her beloved husband, Elijah of Silver Spring, MD; son, Harold Wiggins of Washington, DC, daughters Dettra Dinisha Reliford(Travis) of Las Vegas, NV and Shakina Renee Taylor (Lester) of Odenton, MD; Grandchildren Warren (Shadra), Riley, Brandon, Shayla, Vincent, Brandi, Shawn (Tevin) and Christin (Gerald), Shawn (Tevin). Great grandchildren, Kylie, Rylan, Ja’Niya, Landon, Keegan, Zora, Braylee, Marie, Morgan, Mason and Ever. Sisters, Alberta Townsend of Silver Spring, MD; Rebecca Carthens and Elizabeth Cole of Red Springs, NC; Rose Wilson (Jimmy) of Hempstead, NY; Brothers, Moses, Jr. of Fayetteville, NC, Malcolm of Red Springs, NC, and Levern (Margie) of Hempstead, NY; Two Brother-In-Law Melvin (Sandra) of White Plains, MD and Robert (Joy) of Phoenix, AZ; a devoted niece and a nephew, Annie and Richard Bratcher, and a host of many relatives and friends.
Virginia had a true circle of friends; a divine Sisterhood. She has best friends of over 40 years and she considered them her true Sisters In Christ: Marilyn Taylor, Patricia Thompson, Nettie Johnson, Claudia Durant and Esther Sanchious.
Family and friends will gather for visitation on the evening of February 16, from 5:00-7:00pm at Briscoe-Tonic Funeral Home, 7 Industrial Drive, Waldorf, MD. On February 17, a viewing will be held from at 9:00am, until time of service, 10:00am at Kingdom Fellowship, 11710 Beltsville Drive, Calverton, MD. Interment will follow the service at George Washington Cemetery in Adelphi, MD.
Jen as what I always called her, having been friends for 60 plus years. I loved to hear her laugh. In grade school as she laugh she would tap you on your back. But sometimes with too much force, then noone wanted to be near her when she laugh. Such an out going loving spirit and fun to be around. Everyone in Duffie knew the Townsend Family. And what good cooks they were. I thank God for having grown up and knowing her. Blessings to the family.
Sorry my health will not allow me to be a part of Genny’s Homegoing, but I pray that we can find solace in ll Corinthians 5:8, “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” Fly home my sister and get your rest.