Carrie Ann Wiggins

Cathy was born July 17, 1956 to Robert H. Wiggins, Sr. and Mary Haywood Wiggins. She attended public school and graduated from Harding High School in 1974. After graduating from high school, she attended UNC-Greensboro and graduated in 1978 with a BA degree in History.

Cathy began her teaching career at Northwestern High School in Rock Hill where she taught history until retiring in 2015. Cathy loved teaching in the early years and often could be found late at school, coordinating extracurricular activities for the students. She loved being involved and getting her students involved. She maintained friendships with many of her students after they graduated and loved following student athletes that she had taught as they pursued their athletic careers both in college and professionally. With a career spanning 36 years at Northwestern, Cathy also developed lasting friendships with several fellow teachers who supported Cathy during difficult times and as her health started to decline, and the family greatly appreciates the love and support shown to Cathy by them.

After retirement at age 59, Cathy found herself with a lot of time on her hands, so she decided to use this time purposefully by giving back to the community. Cathy volunteered at the 2nd Harvest Food Bank on Wednesday afternoon packing backpacks with non-perishable items so kids would have something to eat over the weekends. She also volunteered at the Assistance League of Charlotte Thrift Store. She was a member of Quail Hollow Presbyterian Church’s InReach committee, helping when the church hosted “Room in the Inn” during cold weather months. On several occasions, she also helped with the mobile food pantry program to distribute food to needy people.

Reflecting on Cathy’s life, she really had two loves in her life. Cathy loved her “pretty things”. Her collections included Annalee Dolls, tea pots, snow men, costume jewelry, and anything really that she considered a bargain. She never missed a holiday when it came to decorating her home for the occasion. Many of these things have already been returned to the community where through resales by the Assistance League Thrift Store, the proceeds will benefit the community through initiatives such as “Operation School Bell” and “Operation Check Hunger”.

Cathy’s second love was plain and simple. She loved her family dearly. She was the doting aunt to two nieces and one nephew. She was at the hospital for every birth. She never missed a birthday celebration or major event in their lives. She loved spending time with them and cared for them as if they were her own children.

Cathy loved her brother and sister as well. She would always lend a sympathetic ear when needed and, once again, never missed a birthday or major event in their lives as well. Simply said, she was always there for her family when it mattered the most!

While Cathy’s life was not without challenges, she managed to overcome them and emerge a better and stronger person. Her life was full of love and support, and she returned that same love and support to all she encountered.

Cathy was preceded in death by her mother and father and her sister-in-law, Barrie Wiggins. She is survived by her sister, Mary Day (husband Walt), her brother Robert H. (Buck) Wiggins, Jr., a niece Melanie Katharine Day, a nephew Brandon Michael Wiggins, and a niece Brittany Michelle Wiggins.

A service to celebrate Cathy’s life will be held on Saturday, April 2, 2022 at 11:00 am at Quail Hollow Presbyterian Church, 8801 Park Road, Charlotte, NC. The family will receive friends after the service. In lieu of flowers, should you choose to celebrate Cathy’s life with a donation, the family would appreciate your directing your donations to Quail Hollow Presbyterian Church or the 2nd Harvest Food Bank.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.McEwenPinevilleChapel.com for the Wiggins family.