Mary Virginia Hyman Wiggins

Mary Virginia Hyman Wiggins, a native of Virginia Beach, VA, was born to loving and caring parents who both offered inspirational support to her endeavors, Sidney E. Hyman, Sr. and Mary B. Hyman.  Ms. Hyman graduated from First Colonial High School, Virginia Beach, VA. She was an honor student, class officer, member of the drill team and stayed involved in other extracurricular activities to promote school spirit. After graduating with honors, Ms. Hyman was awarded a full four-year academic scholarship for Saint Augustine’s College in Raleigh, NC. She graduated with honors and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. Though she was quite focused academically, she still found time to pledge Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and participate in other campus activities.

Her first full time teaching position was at Southwestern Intermediate School, Suffolk, VA. Even though she enjoyed her four years there, she accepted a position at Frank W. Cox High School, Virginia Beach, VA. While there, Ms. Hyman enjoyed a host of experiences. Her tenure afforded her the opportunity to teach English, Reading and to serve as English Department Chairperson. She has sponsored such groups as the Debate/Forensic teams and the National Honor Society. She later transferred to Ocean Lakes High School, Virginia Beach, VA as the Assistant Principal when she became ill.

Mrs. Wiggins had a host of interest. She enjoyed working with children, the community, developing curriculum objectives, activities and organizational skills, coordinating plans for groups, creating and implementing innovative ideas, reading, gardening, listening to music, and last but not least, spending quality time with family and friends. She was a spiritually sound individual with a host of talents to offer in support of family, friends, colleagues and others.

Mary cared for her brother, father and mother when they were ill, all while managing her professional duties. She was a devoted member and leader of the order of the Eastern Stars. Mary Virginia took faith in the SGI~USA Religious Buddhist Organization in 2002. Being a compassionate practitioner and empathetic person, she quickly rose to leadership positions teaching new and old members alike.

She loved to share her Buddhist enlightenment with others. After ten years of declining with Dementia, Mary V. Hyman Wiggins on October 21, 2019, bravely entered her transition into the state of death, her eternal journey. She will always be remembered as a good friend, leader and a progressive empathetically compassionate person. Mary lived the life of a true Buddhist and is now perfectly endowed with truth, purity and an enlightened eternity.

Mary was predeceased by her parents, Sidney E. Hyman, Sr. and Mary B. Hyman and her brother, Sidney E. Hyman, Jr. She enjoyed a beautiful, happy and successful marriage to her husband, Reginald Wiggins. Mary leaves him to cherish her memories as well as her special cousins, Calvin Williams Jr., Caroline Jones, Larry Williams and Cynthia Ragland. One of Mary’s favorite gouter from her readings:

Suffer what there is to suffer.

Enjoy what there is to enjoy.

Regard both suffering and joy as facts of life

Continue chanting until your very last breath

~ Behold! ~