Charlene Marie Riggins

On Monday morning, October 29, 2018, Charlene "Stink" Marie Riggins, 66, was called home. Although her illness was totally unexpected, very sudden, aggressive, and quick, Charlene passed on peacefully, in her sleep, and in her husband's arms. She leaves to cherish her memory, her devoted husband, Chester Riggins with whom she was married 37 years; four sisters, Valerie, Anne, Lynne (James) and Toni (Baudelio); one brother, John (Janette); seven nephews; four nieces; twenty great nephews and nieces; two dogs; a cat named Spider-Man; and a host of students and good friends. She is preceded in death by her Father, John Shahpur Turner and Mother, Ella Catherine Johnson Turner. Charlene was born in Memphis, Tennessee on December 19, 1951. In 1953 the family moved to Los Angeles, where, between L.A., and Orange County, she has lived most of her life. As a child, she always had lots of energy. And, in addition with her highly inquisitive nature, she was always getting into something she shouldn't of, including her share of trouble. Upon maturing, she directed her efforts and inquiring mind into a love for teaching History. In 1957 she began her educational journey at St. Leo's Catholic Elementary School, where, as an even younger child, she was baptized in its Church. After graduating Centennial High School in 1970, Charlene ultimately completed her quest by obtaining a Master's Degree in History from CSU Fullerton in 2004. Soon afterwards, she began her career as a professional teacher. Before beginning work as a Lecturer and Oral Historian at CSUF and Santiago College, Charlene's 43-year career at CSUF began in 1975 as a Graduate Unit Evaluator in the Admissions and Records Office. While there, she made a promise to her Mom and took a bet with a nephew to complete her education (before he did). Not long after lecturing her first class, there was word from many of the students whom she taught and mentored, that she was "a natural teacher" one who "really loved her job" and "made history come alive". In 2002, she co-Chaired with then Chairperson, mentor, and good friend, Wendy Elliot, an annual conference of the National Genealogical Alliance and later that year, helped to present the International Federation of Genealogical Societies annual conference. In 2013 she was honored by the organization, "100 Black Men of Orange County". She was a member of the Placentia Historical Society, Golden Key National Honor Society, Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society, American History Society, Association of Black Women Historians, Oral History Association, and Southwest Oral History Association, SWOHA, where she served as Vice President. Charlene authored two books,, A Different Shade of Orange, which was recognized by the Youthon-the-Move International Educators Hall of Fame in 2014, and The Forgotten Patriots. Included in the Forgotten Patriots is her account of a WWII veteran named Charles Rodriguez. So in depth and captivating was her story of this soldier that the Library of Congress requested she donate her entire project to LC, where it remains intact today. She was also known as being quite an expert on the Civil War and was in the process of introducing a new film history for the upcoming semester. When not teaching, Charlene enjoyed spending time with her pets; Sabrina, Motto and Spider-Man. She loved Jazz, Theatre, making Super Bowl Gumbo, decorating for the holidays, making friends, Dave Koz Jazz Cruises; her chap-stick, Chefs favorite Clam Dip, giving gifts at Xmas, being a hostess, and most of all, she loved Tweety Bird!