Bloneva (Flowers) Wiggins

Bloneva Flowers Wiggins, was born May 30, 1950, in Miami, Florida. She was the beloved daughter of the late James Richardson and Cloretha Flowers Richardson.  Blondie, as she was lovingly known as, was the 3rd oldest of 10 siblings. She attended and graduated from Miami Killian Senior High School in 1968. At an early age, her dream was to become an elementary school teacher. In 1972 she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Florida Memorial University in Miami, Florida. Blondie was very proud to be an alumnus of the only HBCU Institution in South Florida.  

After completing her formal education, she moved to Clairton, Pennsylvania. Needing a new place to call home, she resided with her aunt the late Annie P. Andrews who lived on Reed Street.  On June 28, 1975, she married the love of her life, the late George Jerome Wiggins. They were married for 35 amazing years and from this union two beautiful son-flowers; Jerome and Andre’ were created.

Blondie soon found employment at the Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) on Shaw Ave in Clairton, as a pre-school teacher.  She thrived while teaching her beloved three and four-year-old students. She had a special love for all children, the good ones, the bad ones, and the indifferent ones, she loved them all the same.   After six delightful years she gained employment at what would turn out to be her dream job with Clairton School District as a Kindergarten teacher.  She loved teaching and her students loved her. Blondie taught several generations of families. Parents did not want her to retire because they had more children going to kindergarten and preferred her as their teacher.  However, in 2008 after 36 dedicated years and teaching countless students she retired. In October 2022, Blondie became the first recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award sponsored by the Clairton Hall of Fame Committee. This award recognized a teacher that has continued to contribute to the district after retirement. 

Blondie’s first love was the Lord; she was a light that burned so brightly.  A past student of hers who is now grown and has a daughter of her own said that Blondie not only taught her in school, but she also taught her the Word of God and how to be a better person. Blondie joined Morning Star Baptist Church, Clairton, on January 3, 1973, and was an asset to the church family. She was part of several ministries: Pastor’s Aide, Women’s and the Combined Choirs, Kitchen Outreach, Social Service, Youth and Young Adults, Scrapbooking, Vacation Bible School, and the Women’s Ministry.  She was also a former member of God’s Promise Youth Choir (Sunbeams), and the Nursery ministry. In May 2017, Blondie was named Women of the Year at MSBC.  She worked faithfully for her Lord and church family.

Blondie once said that “Every day I open my eyes is a blessing” She opened her eyes for the last time on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, at her home in West Mifflin. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband; brothers, Larry, Charles, and Anthony Flowers; and sister, Hazel Flowers.

Left to cherish her memories are her sons, Jerome Wiggins and Andre’ (Shannon) Wiggins; daughters, Unicka George, and Twila (Kenya) Owens; eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; sisters, Gwendolyn Cook, Darlene Mowry, and Jacqueline Butts; brothers, David and Alvin Flowers; godchildren, Tina Ford, Breonna Johnson, Kemonie Chapman, Tamia Law, and Laron Harvey, whom she reared; a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends.

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