Eunice Virginia Wiggins

Published 9:23 pm Thursday, July 20, 2017

Eunice Virginia Wiggins, 91, of Centerbrooke Lane, Suffolk, transitioned Thursday, July 13, 2017, at Sentara Hospice House in Virginia Beach. She was a native of Nansemond County (Suffolk City) and the daughter of the late Benjamin and Rosa Wiggins. She was preceded in death by her son, Ronald C. Thomas Sr., and two brothers, Casper L. Wiggins and William H. Wiggins.

She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Elizabeth City State University and Master of Arts degree from New York University in early childhood education. She also attended College of William & Mary and Old Dominion University. Ms. Wiggins retired in 1988 after 37 years as an elementary teacher. She worked in the school systems of Southampton County, Prince William County and Suffolk Public Schools. She was a member of Canaan Baptist Church, where she was a member of the J.E. Arrington Choir, Senior and Gospel Choir, teacher of the 6th Bible class, Pastor’s Aid, Home Mission, Missionary Circle, Mothers Board Ministry, Women’s Ministry and assistant church clerk for 30-plus years.

Ms. Wiggins was a former unified member of the Education Association, State and National member with the Fahocha Club, life membership with the BTU Congress of Virginia, NAACP and Epsilon Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. She was also a member and financial secretary of the East Bound Association.

She leaves to cherish her memory two daughters, Barbara J. Gates (Lester), of Portsmouth, and Sheila R. Williams (Frank), of Suffolk; 11 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren; a loving daughter-in-law, Barbara Thomas, of Suffolk; a dear, loving and longtime friend, Ernestine Langston, of Suffolk; a special daughter-in-law, Dianne Thomas, of Rocky Mount, N.C.; special son-in-law, Norman H. Wilson, of Blackwood, N.J.; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, July 23, 2017, at Canaan Baptist Church officiated by Rev. Vernon W. Hairston, Sr. Interment will be in Canaan Church Cemetery. A wake will be Saturday, July 22, 2017, 5 to 6 p.m. at the funeral home. The family is located at 4144 Long Point Blvd., Portsmouth, for visitation. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.crockerfuneralhome.com. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home Inc.