Dr. Evelyn Harris Wigglesworth–Brown of Chesapeake, Virginia answered the call from her Angels on April 4, 2020. She was 77 years old and lived a full, fruitful and fun-loving life. She was affectionately known as “Happy Feet” because when the music started, so did she. She turned her gifts and talents into a career driven by service to others. She was driven to help others and was an outstanding educator and mentor, shaping and enriching the careers and lives of many students and colleagues. With “a presence that ran from fearless to angelic,” Dr. Wigglesworth-Brown led with kindness, humility and compassion, providing warmth and joy to her legions of friends and colleagues. She was a beautiful, eloquent and graceful lady, who exuded wisdom and perspective.
Dr. Wigglesworth–Brown was born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia to Mr. Alvin B. Harris and Mrs. Minnie L. Harris. She is survived by her husband, Grady Brown Jr.; her loving son, Colonel (RET) Jamal E. Wigglesworth (Kay) of Richmond, Virginia; and grandchildren, Tyler, Andrew and Ryan. She has one sibling, Mrs. Barbara Lawson (Gregory) of Antioch, California; four bonus adult children, Larzell Brown of Seattle, Washington; Lolitta Gordone of Chesapeake, Virginia; Richetta Brown of Chesapeake, Virginia and Lavett Brown of Suffolk, Virginia; and several bonus grandchildren who all blessed her full exciting life.
Dr. Wigglesworth–Brown graduated from Booker T. Washington High School (1960), Hampton University (1964), Brooklyn College (1973), Old Dominion University (1981) and Virginia Tech (Doctoral Fellowship, 1983). She was an Educator and taught elementary school early in her career. She became a University Counselor at Norfolk State in 1975 and authored the first Student Affairs Grant for a Comprehensive Student Development Program. Dr. Wigglesworth–Brown was later appointed Dean of Student Retention and Director of Assessment. In 1995, she left Norfolk State University for a promotion at Elizabeth City State University where she served as Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. After the death of her mother, she accepted the position of Director of Student Development at Thomas Nelson Community College. She retired from Thomas Nelson Community College in 2002.
She served on the Board of Directors for the United Way and Peninsula Chapter Community Improvement. She was a Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, a member of Chesapeake Women’s Club, Chesapeake Democratic Committee, Norfolk Chapter of The Links, Incorporated and former member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women. She received numerous awards and accommodations for her community service, work as a student counselor, and writer.
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Personal Service, Peace of Mind, Pleasant Memories
© Metropolitan Funeral Service
Hattie D. Bonner says
April 7, 2020 at 1:35 pmPraying the Lord will comfort you with his peace, surround you with his love, and encourage you with his presence. Mat your memories bring you comfort.
Rev. Joyce Foster says
April 9, 2020 at 4:36 pmIn prayer for the family of Dr. Wigglesworth-Brown.
Fenton L. Bland, Jr. says
April 7, 2020 at 1:38 pmWishing you peace to bring you comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your heart. A mother’s love last forever.
Sandra Fletcher Jackson /HU “64” says
April 7, 2020 at 7:50 pmWhen the person you are closest to is gone, hold on to their memories and know that they are always with you.
Lorene Marable-Safavinia says
April 7, 2020 at 9:47 pmDr Wigglesworth was a caring and fun loving counselor at Norfolk State University, and loved by her students. I worked in admissions and knew her well. She was a wonderful person and very kind. She will be truly missed.
COL (R) Mechelle Hale says
April 8, 2020 at 9:14 amCOL (R) Wigglesworth, thanks for sharing such a wonderful mentor, educator, philanthropist and Soror with so many. I will never forget the time she pinned me and Pam with our Delta Pin and how proud she was of you and me, her two Army colonels. May God bless you and your family during this time. Dr. Wiggglesworth-Brown will be missed by many. COL (R) Mechelle Hale
Sherwood and Joy Eure says
April 8, 2020 at 10:40 amDuring this time in our Lives when we find ourselves in a place where we cannot be together,We offer our prayers and thoughts to you and your family. Evelyn will live in our hearts and memories. May God Bless you and your family.
Rev. Dr. James Edwards, lll says
April 8, 2020 at 10:50 amCol. Jamal , members of the Harris, Wigglesworth and Brown family, please accept Reverend Dee and my sincere condolences on the passing of my childhood, Huntersville friend. Evelyn’s mother and my mother were good friends which meant we had no choice but to be friends. She was truly a lovely person inside and out and carried both beauties into her senior years. Take your rest ” Baby Jean ” from your friend, Screwball, on Dungee Street born two months behind you.
Deacon Emeritus, Carolyn Hayes says
April 8, 2020 at 12:55 pmTo our dear friend Grady Brown and family:
Words cannot express how we felt when we learned of the passing of your dear wife and beloved one. May you find additional comfort in knowing we are praying God’s strength for you all, now and in days ahead.
With our love and prayers,
Clifton Sr. and Carolyn Hayes
Chesapeake, VA
Chondale Rogers says
April 8, 2020 at 1:52 pmKeith Rhodes and Family send our deepest condolences.We are praying for the family and if y’all need anything let us know.
Kay Wigglesworth says
April 8, 2020 at 4:20 pmThank you for thinking of us and keeping us in your prayers. Wigglesworth Family.
Sylvia & James Brown says
April 8, 2020 at 8:26 pmTo the Brown, Wigglesworth and Harris families : We are saddened and brokenhearted to hear of the passing of our dear friend Evelyn. We will miss her dearly. We hope you will feel the love that surrounds you.
WITH SYMPATHY.
Rosemarie Ward says
April 13, 2020 at 7:20 pmEvelyn was go getter who kept all the pieces together in her life that catapulted her into the man successes in life. One of her last achievement was uniting with Grady Brown. They enjoyed many joyful times together. However, I will miss our Delta times together, card times, social times,,and others. May God’s presence be with her and protect Grady in this sad time.
,
Rosemarie Ward says
April 13, 2020 at 7:28 pmEvelyn was go getter who kept all the pieces together in her life that catapulted her into the many successes in life.
Evelyn and Grady enjoyed many happy times together However, I will miss our Delta times together, card times, social times,,and others. May God’s presence be with her and protect Grady in this sad time.
,
Wilbur and Aurella Addison says
April 9, 2020 at 9:50 amApril 9,2020 We are grateful for the privilege of enjoying the friendship of our dear friend, Evelyn. She enhanced our lives with joy. She set an example by obeying the Holy Spirit. In the words of the prophet: ” For what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly, to love kindness, and to walk humbly before thy God” Dear Family, she did just that! We are sorry for your loss . May you find peace in knowing she will join others who were worthy of lives well lived. Be Blessed
Mary Redd-Clary says
April 9, 2020 at 2:34 pmTo the family – I remember my Dear Soror and Holiday sister for blessing me with her smile and friendship these past few years. May I offer my thoughts and prayers as you all celebrate a life well lived. With sympathy, Mary Redd-Clary
M. Brandon Lee says
April 9, 2020 at 6:15 pmMay God’s love heal your sorrow and may His peace replace your heartache with loving memories.
Jo Ann Joyner-Loyd says
April 9, 2020 at 7:19 pmPam and the Wigglesworth-Brown family I am so sorry for your loss. I am praying for you and the family. God bless.
With deepest sympathy
Jo Ann
Curtis & Monica Francis says
April 10, 2020 at 2:41 pmTo Grady, Jamal, and the entire Wigglesworth-Brown family-
May God keep you and comfort you all during this time. She was so many great things to so many peolple. We called her Baby Jean. She was more like a sister to my Mom, Mary, than a cousin. I remember her smile and how she was always so full of life. She will be greatly missed.
With deepest sympathy,
Monica and Curtis Francis
Priscilla Tennyson says
April 10, 2020 at 11:35 pmTo the Wigglesworth-Brown Family – May the constant love of caring friends soften your sadness, cherished memories bring you moments of comfort, and lasting peace surround your grieving heart. We are sorry for your loss. Evelyn will live in our hearts and memories. May God bless you and your family during this time.
With Sincerest Sympathy,
Chesapeake Women’s Club
Priscilla Tennyson, President
Larzell & Lawand Brown says
April 11, 2020 at 12:12 amI know how much Evelyn and my Father Enjoyed each other,Loved each and Took care of each other
While her passing is full with sympathy we must also reflect on the blessings of time they shared together!
Memories Last Forever
With deepest sympathy,
Larzell & Lawand Brown
Maria Sanchez says
April 11, 2020 at 11:12 amFrom Sentara Home Health Service to the Wigglesworth-Brown Family- May God give you comfort in this times of sadness. It was an honor being able to provide care to Ms Wigglesworth during this time.
Estherine J. Harding, NSU Retiree says
April 11, 2020 at 5:51 pmFamily, you have my sincere sympathy and prayers. I will always remember Dr. Wigglesworth as a very caring and compassionate counselor of students at Norfolk State University. We served together for a number of years, I never saw her when she didn’t have a smile.
May God bless and comfort you during this very difficult time.
Harold says
April 27, 2020 at 7:48 pmHarold Grifffin and Donald Thornton send their condolences to the family. Evelyn was a wonderful person and friend.
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