Kay E. Wiggins
MOUNT VERNON — Kay E. (Dowds) Wiggins, 65, of Mount Vernon died Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008, at Knox Community Hospital in Mount Vernon following a battle with cancer.
Kay was born June 18, 1942, in Murfeesboro, Tenn., was the daughter of Paul K. and Hazel E. (Fishburn) Dowds, and graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1960. She then attended Ohio University and Ohio Northern University and graduated from the Bill Hickson School of Floral Design in Cleveland and the London School of Floral Design in England. While in England she met a young marine Paul H. Wiggins Jr. and they were married in 1964. Kay became a licensed funeral director with the state of Ohio in 1969 and she and her husband Paul joined her father’s funeral business the Dowds-Wiggins Funeral Home that they managed for 20 years.
Kay had been active in community affairs having served on the Board of Directors for Station Break Senior Citizens in Mount Vernon the Knox County Humane Society, The Dan Emmett Kennel Club, Knox County Adult Day Care and was past worthy matron of Knox Chapter 236 Order of Eastern Star in Mount Vernon. For over 20 years Kay had run the bingo games for local organizations including the Station Break, Adult Day Care and St. Vincent de Paul Church. Kay was a member of the Gay Street United Methodist Church in Mount Vernon.
Surviving are her husband, Paul H. Wiggins Jr.; her son, Marc (Gloria) Wiggins of Streetsboro; her daughter, Gail Lashley of Mount Vernon; four grandchildren, Kyle Lashley, Danielle Lashley, Sarah Metz and Nathaniel Wiggins; and an aunt, Ruth (Dowds) Richardson of Kettering.
Kay was preceded in death by her parents; and a very special aunt, Florence Cass.
Friends may call Monday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home in Mount Vernon, where the Knox Chapter 236, Order of Eastern Star, will conduct memorial services following the calling hours. Funeral services will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Dr. David A. Baker officiating. Burial will follow at Mound View Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Knox County Crippled Children and Adults or to Hospice of Knox County. To send an online condolence to the family, visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

