Marion Jean Turner Wiggins, 68, rests now in the arms of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He called her Home on February 27, 2014.
Marion was born on October 3, 1945 in Port Arthur, Texas.
She graduated as the Valedictorian of her class from Thomas Jefferson High in 1964 and went on to graduate from The University of Texas in Austin with a double major in Mathematics and English in 1968. She was also a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority. While attending school in Austin, Marion wed her husband and gave birth to a beautiful baby girl.
Soon after, she began her teaching career at Westchester Senior High School in Houston where she was everyone's favorite Algebra teacher. She retired in 1979 from Stratford Sr. High. to later begin private tutoring which she enjoyed for over 20 years. In 2008, she and her husband moved from Houston to their ranch in New Ulm, TX. There she enjoyed her many animals including 3 horses rescued by the SPCA that they have nurtured back to good health.
A member of Chapelwood United Methodist Church, Marion was also instrumental in launching Mercy Street, a casual Saturday evening service for anyone seeking God. Beautiful, charming, witty and talented Marion excelled at absolutely everything she did. She loved interior design, gardening, her horses and solving Wheel of Fortune puzzles at lightening speed. However, it was only after she rededicated her life to Christ, that she found her heart's true desire, to live for Him. Holding on to God's promises, she prayed without ceasing for His will to be done in her life and to become all that He created her to be. Everyone who knew her saw God faithfully complete the work that He began in Marion. She was an encouraging, loving and dedicated friend, mother and wife. Approaching every challenge in life with a "can-do" attitude and a thankful heart, she truly believed that "all things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
When she learned that she had glioblastoma brain cancer on Jan. 5, 2010, Marion made a decision to remain positive and allow this trial in her life to be an opportunity to glorify God....through her unshakable faith and God's grace, that is exactly what she did. Not one time, after 5 surgeries, 4 years of chemo and 62 rounds of radiation did she complain. Rather, she praised God for everything He was doing in her life and remained joyful through it all. Marion found the silver lining in every situation. She was such a blessing and an inspiration to all who know her.
Preceded in death by parents, William Riley and Maudry Turner of Port Arthur, TX and brother Derald Wayne Turner, Sr., of Houston, TX.
Survived by her loving daughter, Laurie Wiggins of Houston, TX and her husband of 48 years, Fred Wiggins of New Ulm, TX.
Marion Wiggins fought the good fight, she finished the race and she kept the faith.
Memorial Service and reception to be held Friday, March 7 at 11 a.m. at Chapelwood United Methodist Church, 11140 Greenbay, Houston, Tx 77024. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Chapelwood.
Mrs. Wiggins was my Algebra teacher at Westchester and Stratford. As a young teenage boy she made learning math fascinating to me and I wanted to do well in her classes. I enjoyed seeing her every day, perfectly polished in her dress, her upbeat positive personality and her delivery of our class topic. She was a brilliant combination of beauty and brains and I realized this at my young age. I admired her so much that once I went to Sakowitz to buy a gift for her, a yellow parasol (I suppose an early forecast of my future fasihon and event career). After graduation, I would run into her over the years and Mrs. Wiggins would surprise me with a story she had seen in the paper or a magazine about the event production work I was doing, especially for those worthy charities and causes. She would tell me how proud she was of me and this made me swell with gratitude. I have a few handwritten cards from Mrs. Wiggins that are, to this day, treasured keepsakes of mine. Mrs. Wiggins made a lifelong impression on a young teenage boy who was unsure of himself and I know for certain her positive influence on me created a confidence within myself that wasn't quite formed yet. I will always remember Mrs. Wiggins with the greatest of fondness and love.
Lenny Matuszewski - Stratford Senior Class of 1975 and Fashion Event Producer. February 24, 2021
I struggled through her Algebra II class at Stratford. She was always supportive and encouraging then and throughout my life. She was an angel.
Wayne Harpold March 6, 2014
I was saddened to learn of the passing of Mrs. Wiggins. Like many others I was a student of hers at Stratford High School. She had a permanent, positive influence on the course of my life. Since studying with her I went on to a career that has centered around mathematics. She was a great teacher who helped me a lot. My sympathies to her family.
Gilbert Boyd March 6, 2014
Mrs. Wiggins was my Algebra teacher for two years at Stratford when the school first opened. She made such an enormous impact on my young life. I not only learned Algebra and enjoyed it but learned one of life's most valuable lessons - that inner beauty shines much brighter than physical beauty. What a lovely woman Mrs. Wiggins was - inside and out. I am very sorry for this loss.
Lenny Matuszewski March 4, 2014
Mrs Wiggins was my Algebra II teacher at Stratford High School in 1973-1974. She was one of the best teachers I ever had. Knew the material and was superb at instruction. She had an exceptional ability to anticipate questions and to clarify any point. She had a great sense of humor and was always in charge of her class. Thank-you Mrs Wiggins for your outstanding work in the classroom. I'll see you in Glory!
Dean Murray March 3, 2014
It is remarkable how many specific details I remember from her Algebra 1 class 44 years ago. She was bright and had a great sense of humor. When my children were in school I always hoped that they would get at least one great teacher each year. Mrs. Wiggins would have qualified.
Jack Cannata March 3, 2014
Mrs. Wiggins was an exceptional teacher and educator at Westchester High School in the early 70's.
Pamela Mudd Conlan March 2, 2014
Mrs Wiggins was my Algebra II teacher at Stratford High School. She was a wonderful person.
Ms Wiggins obit caught my eye yesterday, especially the part about being "everyone's favorite Algebra teacher". Pretty accurate statement as far as I am concerned. Besides her strking appearance and poise, she actually got me to pay enough attention to "get it" as far as understanding math. Which was definitely important in my engineering studies at TAMU. If I didn't already have plans for the date/time of her memorial service, I would certainly be there. I can't think of any other teacher I had at Westchester who had more of an impact on my appreciation of the course they taught.
.png)
Marion Jean Turner Wiggins, 68, rests now in the arms of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He called her Home on February 27, 2014.
David T. West (1973)
Ms Wiggins obit caught my eye yesterday, especially the part about being "everyone's favorite Algebra teacher". Pretty accurate statement as far as I am concerned. Besides her strking appearance and poise, she actually got me to pay enough attention to "get it" as far as understanding math. Which was definitely important in my engineering studies at TAMU. If I didn't already have plans for the date/time of her memorial service, I would certainly be there. I can't think of any other teacher I had at Westchester who had more of an impact on my appreciation of the course they taught.