Clare Dee (Hall) Wiggins

Wife, devoted mother and best friend, Clare Dee (Hall) Wiggins, 91, of Staunton passed away on February 3, 2023, at Augusta Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Fishersville, Virginia. She leaves a hole in her son’s heart that will never be filled.

She was born on January 11, 1932, the daughter of the late Robert Arthur Hall, Sr. and the late Anna Louise (Moore) Hall in Pocahontas County, West Virginia and attended school in West Virginia and Virginia. Her family ultimately settled in Staunton, and she graduated from Robert E. Lee High School and attended Dunsmore Business College.

She married the late Frank Samuel Wiggins of Lexington in 1957 in Buena Vista, Virginia and immediately assumed the duties of the wife of an Air Force officer and pilot, a role she filled with enthusiasm and distinction for the next thirty-two years. Relocating on average every three years and despite long absences by her spouse (including combat service in the Vietnam War), she nevertheless always maintained a secure, stable, and loving family environment…all while also being involved in many military clubs and on-base service organizations, Ultimately, she was formally recognized for her contributions to her husband’s career, to the Air Force, to the United States Military Academy and the Army, and to the United States. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and was a long-time member of St. John’s United Methodist Church in Staunton.

Horticulture, flowers, and flower arranging were her lifelong passions, and Clare was a member of both the Waynesboro Garden Club and the Staunton Garden Club. She received several “Best in Show” and many other awards in flower arrangement competitions. She was also a member of the Waynesboro Woman’s Club.

Clare is preceded in death by her parents, by her brother, Robert Arthur Hall, Jr., by her sister-in-law, Betty Hall, by her sister-in-law Nancy Hall, by her stepfather, George Gladwell, by her nephew, Michael Hall, by her nephew, Robert Herr, by her former husband, COL Frank S. Wiggins, USAF (Ret), and by her much-loved dogs, Blue-Boy, Doughan, and Molly.

Clare is survived by her son, David Wiggins, by three nephews, (Robert Hall of Georgia, Steven Hall and his wife Sandy of Staunton, and John Herr of Staunton), by her sister-in-law, Bette Herr of Staunton, and by her adored “grand-parrot,” Taco.

A Memorial Service and Celebration of Clare’s Life will be held at St. John’s United Methodist Church in Staunton at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 23, 2023.

Clare’s son, David Wiggins, wishes to extend his sincere thanks to the Staunton-Augusta Rescue Squad, to the doctors, nurses, and caregivers of both Augusta Medical Center and Augusta Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for the care they gave to Clare prior to her death.

Those desiring to make memorial contributions may do so to the ASPCA, to the Phoenix Landing Foundation, or to the Staunton-Augusta Rescue Squad.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes of Staunton.

Relatives and friends may share condolences and memories with Clare’s son, David, online by visiting www.reynoldshamrickfuneralhomes.com