Eleanor Rose "Wiggie" Leaphart Wessinger

Eleanor Rose “Wiggie” Leaphart Wessinger, 97, born February 1, 1929, died peacefully at home on April 29, 2026 surrounded by family. “Wiggie” was the daughter of the late Jacob Early Leaphart and Irene Shealy Leaphart. She was the second and last surviving of seven children. “Wiggie” is survived by her daughter, Rita (Ralph) Rodgers and son, Phillip Rhett (Patsy) Wessinger, all of Lexington. Also surviving are grandchildren, Kimberly R. (Tobin) Williamson, Will (Mary) Rodgers, Ashley W. Welch (Brent Bierce), and Amber W. (Lee) Youmans; great-grandchildren, Laney R. (Jacob) Schwartz, Hailey Williamson, Dalton Welch, Shawn (Khyla) Williamson, Emily Rodgers (Taylor Lane), Lawson Youmans, Colton Sharpe, and Henry Youmans, all of Lexington; sisters-in-law, Shirley and Jackie Leaphart of Gilbert; brother-in-law, Deryl Wessinger of Lexington; and numerous nieces and nephews that she loved dearly.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 64 years, Henry Phillip Wessinger; son-n-law, Ralph Rodgers; sisters, Aileen (N.W.) Hancock of Lexington, Nancy (Melvin) Hayes, and Myrna Leaphart; and brothers, Gerald O. Leaphart Sr., Wyman A. (Edith) Leaphart, and Bivens G. Leaphart all of Gilbert.

“Wiggie” graduated from Lexington High School in 1946. In high school, she worked at the Lexington Textile Mill (known as the Old Mill today). After high school, she was employed at the Lexington County Courthouse. She married the love of her life, Henry Phillip in 1948 and farmed with the family until establishing their own poultry operation where they ran eleven broiler houses. Eleanor, along with her husband, were instrumental in the organization of the Lake Murray Community Club. They loved serving as chairmen of the Youth & Recreation committee. Phillip and Wiggie enjoyed taking the teenagers on hayrides, and sponsoring skating, teen canteen, Halloween carnivals, and square dances for the community. They were also instrumental in organizing the original Gilbert Peach Festival. She grew up attending Mt. Horeb United Methodist Church, joined St. Peter's Lutheran Church with Henry Phillip, and is a member of Mt. Horeb Church today.

The family would like to extend their special thanks to Dr. Stephen A. Madden, Dr. Eleanor Leaphart, Tammy and Jay from Amedisys Hospice and Darlene Craps for their loving care.

Services will be held at Mt. Horeb Church on Monday, May 4, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. with interment to follow at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Lexington. The family will receive visitors prior to the service beginning at 3:30 p.m. at Mt. Horeb Church. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Wiggie’s memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or The Shriners Hospital.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital                        Shriners Hospitals for Children
501 St. Jude Place                                                                Attn: Office of Development
Memphis, Tn 38105                                                            2900 Rocky Point Drive
                                                                                                    Tampa, Fl 33607

Pallbearers: Dalton Welch, Colton Sharpe, Lawson Youmans, Lee Youmans, Tobin Williamson, Shawn Williamson, Larry Wessinger and Jacob Schwartz.
Honorary Pallbearers: Henry Youmans, Damone Leaphart, Dory Arnold, Gene Leaphart, Roger Leaphart, Brooks Fitts, Hunter Bass, Chad Leaphart, Darryl Wessinger, Jr., Lance Wessinger and Kevin Martin.

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