Geraldine Wiggins Powell

Geraldine Wiggins Powell, age 81, of Citronelle, passed peacefully Thursday evening, October 24, 2024. She was born March 23, 1943, in Clarke County, the youngest daughter of the late Bonner C. and Velma Clara Anderson Wiggins. She graduated from Clarke County High School in Grove Hill, Alabama. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. 

Geraldine is preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Franklin D. Powell; grandsons, Joseph Franklin Salmon and Thomas Celsus Salmon; great-granddaughter, Collins Daree Jordan; brothers, Bonner Wiggins Jr., John Thomas Wiggins, Steve Wiggins, and Coma Wiggins; and sisters, Clara Liesen, Beatrice Drinkard, Katherine Nelson, and Vera Davenport. 

Her survivors include her children, Dan (Connie) Powell and Marie (Mike) Salmon; grandchildren, Grace Salmon, Alex (Kayla) Powell, Charley (Ethan) Jordan; great-grandchild, Carter Jordan; brothers, Ellis (Mary Jane) Wiggins and Jerry (Sue) Wiggins; sisters-in-law, Catherine Wiggins and Lenny Powell Westbrook; and many nieces and nephews. 

Growing up in a large and loving family, Geraldine quickly adapted to the life of a dairy farmer's wife. She enjoyed cooking large meals for her family and farm employees, canning fruits and vegetables, and helping to manage the business aspects of the farm. In the summer, many of her nieces and nephews would spend time working as seasonal employees on the farm. Many entertaining stories about time spent at Geraldine and Frank's home have been told. 

Geraldine was an active member of the West Citronelle Home Demonstration Club, earning numerous awards for her sewing and cooking talents. Learning to sew as a young girl, her first job as a young woman was working as a production seamstress. She also used her talent to create countless pieces of clothing, including many prom, bridesmaids, and wedding dresses.

Her husband's early retirement from the dairy farm led her to a career in fashion merchandising. In 1979, she opened The Outlet Shop, a women's clothing store in Citronelle. Several years later, she opened Unlimited Fashions, a second store in West Mobile. For 10 years, she traveled to clothing factories in the Southeast and handpicked her merchandise. Geraldine enjoyed getting to know her customers and advising them of styles and colors that helped them look and feel their best. As US-based manufacturing declined in the late 80s, she closed the shops and began a new career as a floral designer. 

Geraldine worked for several companies in the surrounding areas as a floral designer, including Cleveland the Florist in Mobile, The Rose Bud Flower and Gift in Chickasaw, and the Lazy Daizy Florist in Chatom. However, her love and talent for creating beautiful memories began in her early twenties, as she was always willing to help family and friends host lovely showers, teas, and weddings. She helped with over 50 weddings in her lifetime. Her creative vision and confidence in her ability to do the impossible on a budget were a blessing and inspiration to many. 

In retirement, she found joy in traveling with various groups by bus. Some of her favorite trips included visiting the Ohio Amish country, a 3-week trip out West and into Canada, visiting ten states and six National Parks, and an East Coast trip that included stops in Martha's Vineyard, Vermont, Bar Harbor, New York, D.C., and Niagara Falls. 

Additional hobbies and interests included playing the piano, decorating cakes, and painting landscapes in oil. For over 30 years, she enjoyed RV camping at the Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, especially when her immediate and distant family were camping nearby. 

Of all the activities she enjoyed, spending time with her children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces, and nephews was her favorite pastime. She often cooked elaborate meals where each person present had a favorite dish she prepared especially for them. She showed love and fulfilled her purpose in life through acts of kindness and service. 

Geraldine was a faithful member of Memorial Baptist Church for 17 years. She served on the Floral Committee, volunteered with Operation Shoe Box, and enjoyed many day trips with the seniors. Her love for Christ showed in her actions and ability to make others feel loved and special. 

The family would like to take this opportunity to thank the many caregivers who have supported Geraldine, including the drivers of the Meals on Wheels Program for Citronelle, the 5th-floor medical team at Mobile Infirmary Hospital, and the staff at Ashland Place Rehabilitation. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at Memorial Baptist Church in Citronelle, with visitation on Friday, November 1, 2024, from 6-8 p.m., and a service on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at 10 a.m. with Rev. Dino Danzey and Mr. Anthony Nelson officiating, followed by interment at Brannan Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the following:

Memorial Baptist Church Floral Fund, PO Box 466, Citronelle, AL 36522-0466. http://citronellememorial.com/ (online donations- choose "designate" in the drop-down menu). or Ronald McDonald Charities of Mobile, https://rmhcmobile.org/.