Rev. John Wiggins Sr., 86, founding pastor

The Rev. John L. Wiggins Sr., 86, of Albion, Camden County, a construction company owner who was the founder and longtime pastor of Emmanuel Church of God in Christ in Lawnside, died of complications from Alzheimer's disease Thursday, Jan. 29, at home.

"He was a pillar in the historically black community" of Lawnside, daughter Ovetta said.

Born in Rocky Mount, N.C., Rev. Wiggins studied in public schools there and worked in mills and on farms and construction sites before moving with his wife, Florence, to Philadelphia in the early 1950s.

"He worked for construction companies in South Jersey as a mason and bricklayer," Ovetta Wiggins said.

In the 1970s, Rev. Wiggins opened the former JDI Inc. in Berlin, a construction firm named for his sons, John Jr., Dennis, and Ivan.

"It laid the foundations for homes and commercial projects and did the brick fronts for homes and other buildings," his daughter said.

He built his own house in Albion, and "was able to provide the kind of life for his family that many who moved to the North . . . could only dream about."

Ovetta Wiggins was a reporter in Harrisburg for The Inquirer from 2001 to 2003, and has been an education reporter since then at the Washington Post.

Bruce Komito, a construction-code inspector for several towns in South Jersey, recalled Rev. Wiggins working for years on the houses built by his father, Joseph.

"He was very honest, would do anything you wanted, a good friend," Komito said.

In 1959, Rev. Wiggins became a Pentecostal minister, serving at the Christian Tabernacle in North Philadelphia, St. James in Swedesboro, and Mount Carmel in Berlin, all part of the Church of God in Christ denomination.

In 1977, he founded the Lawnside church and became its pastor.

Rev. Wiggins was a founding member of the Lawnside Ecumenical Council in the 1980s, his daughter said.

The Camden District of the Church of God in Christ recognized him for his work with Young People Willing Workers, an agency of the church that offers educational and spiritual encouragement and which he once served as president, she said.

In 2014, Lawnside Mayor Mary Ann Wardlow presented a proclamation recognizing his work at a luncheon.

In addition to his daughter and sons, Rev. Wiggins is survived by daughters Jeanette King, Gloria Moore, Ida Nichols, and Cheryl; three brothers; four sisters; 14 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. His wife died in 1998.

A viewing was set for 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, at Bethany Baptist Church, 1115 E. Gibbsboro Rd., Lindenwold, before an 11 a.m. funeral there, with interment in East Berlin Cemetery.

Donations may be sent to Samaritan Healthcare and Hospice, Suite 300, 5 Eves Dr., Marlton, N.J. 08053.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mayfuneralhomes.com.