VALLEY— The Valley City Council has lost a member. District 5 Council Member Lana Wiggins died Tuesday at UAB Hospital.

“We are going to miss her,” said Mayor Leonard Riley. “She was a really good council member. She had good ideas, was always at our council meetings and at our work sessions.”

She was in her second term and had been uncharacteristically absent from recent meetings while battling health issues. In the final meeting she attended, she talked about how well things had gone at the annual school reunion in her beloved River View.

This past year, Wiggins was an outspoken advocate for organ donations. She had gained a new lease on life due to a liver transplant and wanted to spread the word on how donated organs extended lives. In the weeks following her medical procedure she had been in remarkably good health. Many people told her how good she looked when she was at council meetings.

Sadly, though, that good health was not long term.

Having been a nurse for more than 40 years. she helped countless people with their health issues.

Her family wants local people to honor her memory by considering being an organ donor.