Mary Lou Cooper Wiggen
Mary Lou Cooper Wiggen, 86, of Houston, died Saturday, August 26, 2023, at Buckner Parkway Place, Houston. She was born on July 29, 1937, to Maudie Mary Mercer Cooper and Thomas Henry Cooper, in Frazer County, Kentucky.
A home agent after graduating from the University of Kentucky, she met and married Dad in 1959, and they moved down to Texas in 1963. She loved her family and gave great parties! She was very involved in our church life at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. Mom was a part of Daughters of the King, the choir, and the kitchen once the new parish hall was built. She kept the books and drove on our paper route business. She and Dad were in bowling leagues and as Dad was a Shriner, she was a member of the Eastern Belles. When Dad started acting in Little Theater, Mom joined in on set work, special effects, and chorus of musicals. She was a great navigator on our many trips around the country.
Survivors include her sons, Robert Emmett Wiggen and his wife, Marla, of Round Rock and Thomas Edward Wiggen of Beaumont; daughters, Melanie Elizabeth Wiggen of El Lago and Mary Ellen Wiggen Matthews and her husband, Harlan, of Katy; sister-in-law, Geneva Cooper of Monticello, Kentucky; grandchildren, Heather, Hannah and Hailey Matthews; step-grandchildren, Stacy and Adam Daigle and Paulina Diaz-Alton; and numerous step great-grandchildren, step great-great- grandchildren, nieces, nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband of over thirty-nine years, Eugene “Gene” Robert Wiggen; son, Stuart Wiggen; daughter-in-law, Carolyn Wiggen; brothers, Dick Kaye and John Thomas Cooper; sisters, Geneva Cooper, Margaret Cooper Miles, Emogene Cooper, and Leta Faye Brammer; brothers-in-law, J.W. Miles, Shelby Thomas Brammer and Walter Gardner; and sister-in-law, Gertrude Gardner.
A gathering of Mrs. Wiggen’s family and friends will begin at 3:00 p.m., with her funeral service to follow at 4:00 p.m., Monday, September 4, 2023, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her graveside service will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at Magnolia Cemetery, 2291 Pine Street, Beaumont.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 6055 South Loop East, Houston, Texas 77087 or the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692.
Video
Gathering of Family and Friends
Broussard’s Mortuary Major Dr.
- 1605, North Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas, 77713,
- September 4, 2023
- 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Funeral Service
Broussard’s Mortuary Major Dr.
- 1605, North Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas, 77713,
- September 4, 2023
- 4:00 pm
Graveside Service
Magnolia Cemetery
- 2291, Pine St, Beaumont, TX, 77703,
- September 5, 2023
- 10:00 am
I am sorry for your loss. My family and I lived on the Henry Cooper farm many years ago when I was just a kid and I stayed with Henry for several years. I remember Mary Lou, and Gene coming to visit her dad in Ky a few times. I remember they had a daughter named Melanie and maybe a son, that I don’t recall with certainty. I remember once when they were visiting Gene fixed the chain on my bicycle. I know most of the Henry Cooper family. I see and talk to Ben Brammer frequently. Again I’m sorry for your loss. Condolences to all the family🌹
Hi Junior,
I remember you being on the farm when we came to visit. I know you helped Grandpa a lot. Thanks for the condolences- it was nice to see your name and to remember the memories that it brought back. Take Care.
Mary Lou, along with Gene and their family, were a great gift to civic volunteerism in Beaumont, Texas as regular volunteers and performers for the Beaumont Community Players. Our gratitude to Melanie and Mary Ellen for giving of yourselves for the community.