Shirley Wiggins

Shirley Wiggins, 82, entered her Heavenly Home on December 2, 2022, while receiving compassionate care from the Baylor Scott and White Hospice Team in Waco, TX. A graveside service will be held at 11AM on Thursday, December 8, 2022 at Eddy Cemetery, 9823 N Interstate 35 Frontage Rd. Eddy TX 76524 with Pastor Lee Casey and Bubba Strickland officiating.

Shirley’s life began in Henryetta, Oklahoma when she was born on April 11, 1940, the daughter of Andrew Abbott and Lillie Mae Beveridge, and the sister of Billie Joe Beveridge. In 1951, they all moved as a family to Amarillo, Texas.

Shirley attended school in Amarillo and in 1956 met a handsome Airman who was stationed at Amarillo Air Force Base. The two fell in love quickly and married on July 4th, 1956 in a small ceremony at her family home in Amarillo. He was the love of her life, and she flourished in the roll of a military wife. Always an amazing cook, she excelled at keeping a tidy home full of children while moving across Texas, Oklahoma, Germany, and wherever duty called. She relished being a wife & mother and kept all the wheels turning even as she waited endless days and months for her husband’s safe return to Texas soil from serving in Vietnam.
She was so proud of her husband’s service and equally proud of her children. She was caring, and funny, and had a special way of welcoming every new friend her kids brought home.
Prior to their retirement from military life, Russel and Shirley settled in Robinson, TX for many years before relocating to Amarillo in the early 1980s. Shirley became the Cafeteria Manager for Alamo Catholic School, serving lunches that only a true old-school cafeteria lady could. In 2001 she and Russel made the decision to move back to Central Texas. It was time for them to return close to their adult children.
Her love for feeding children did not go away and she once again became a Cafeteria Manager, this time for Bruceville-Eddy Intermediate School until she hung up her hairnet and retired for good in 2009.
Shirley was a member of Bruceville Community Church. She enjoyed road trips, casino visits, Baylor Girls Basketball, and was the world’s most loyal Dallas Cowboy Fan since 1960. If the Cowboys were winning, or if they were losing, her love for them never changed.

In addition to her parents, Shirley was preceded in death by two daughters, Melody Kay Wiggins of Amarillo, TX, & Linda Orban of Eddy, TX, as well as one great-granddaughter, Hannah Wiggins of Valley Mills, TX.

She is survived by her beloved husband Russel Wiggins, Sr. of Bruceville, TX.
Also left to grieve her absence are her children including a daughter, Patricia Kinder of Waco, TX, a son, Russel “Rusty” Wiggins & wife Sherry of Owasso OK, a son, Howard Wiggins & wife Chauntay of Bruceville, TX, and daughter, Alicia Parrish & husband Tommy Parrish of China Spring, TX.

Surviving grandchildren are Ronnie Orban & wife Jennifer of San Antonio, TX, Justin Wiggins of Austin, TX, Amanda Wiggins of Owasso, OK, Jason Wiggins of Waco, TX, Russel Wiggins, III of Owasso, OK, Ryan Wiggins of Owasso, OK, Russel Holford & wife Samantha of Waco, TX, Kyden Parrish of China Spring TX, and Lincoln Parrish of China Spring, TX.

Surviving great-grandchildren include Tatum Morgan of San Antonio, TX, Cooper Orban of San Antonio, TX, Macie Jo Wiggins of Owasso, OK, Farrah Wiggins of Palestine, TX, Camden Orban of San Antonio, TX, Shelby Wiggins of Valley Mills, TX, and Case Wiggins of Palestine, TX.
Surviving brother, Billy Beveridge & wife Peggy of Norman, OK as well as her special nephew, David Beveridge & wife Mithra of Garland, TX. Shirley’s grandchildren will serve as pallbearers.

Eternally grateful to Baylor Scott & White Nursing and Hospice Staff for the care they showed our beloved wife, mother, sister, and nanny.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of your choice.