Bonnie Maud Sowell Wiggins, 90, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at Memorial Hospital in Livingston, Texas. She was born in Onalaska on October 12, 1930 to William Charlie Sowell and Leecy Mae Crawford. She attended Onalaska and Livingston ISD. She married her husband Barney Flowers Wiggins in 1951 and raised four children and were lifelong residents of Polk County, Texas.

A graveside service will be held Monday, January 4, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at the Forest Hill Cemetery in Livingston with Bro. Kevan Wood officiating. Mourners are asked to wear masks and practice social distancing. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Youth or Senior Program at First Baptist Church 106 Colt Road, Livingston, Texas. If you do not feel comfortable or you do not feel well the family understands your non-attendance. Please reach out to them through our online guestbook or stopping by our lobby to sign the book.

Bonnie and Barney began their life together as farmers, but after having 7 failed crops in 6 years, they realized they were not well suited for that life. They then went into land development with Wiggins Land Company. Bonnie continued with the business with her son Jobe after Barney's passing until her retirement in 1992.

Bonnie moved from town to a little house next to her daughter and son in-law, Debbie and Jerry LeBlanc in the mid-90s. Family gatherings continued at their home with over 60 people coming together for Christmas. Each year the camera and tripod would have to set-up a little farther away to make sure everyone fit in the picture.

In 2010, Geraldine Halstead began coming to Bonnie's house to help with things like cooking and cleaning through Texas Home Health. Their relationship developed into a strong friendship and they would talk or sit and watch television together. Geraldine continued to visit Bonnie even after she went into the Bradford nursing home in 2018. At the nursing home, the nurses who worked the Mockingbird Lane hallway always went the extra mile to care for her and make sure she had everything she needed.

Bonnie loved her grandchildren deeply and they all enjoyed staying at her house as often as they could. Her grandkids loved to eat at her house. Chicken strips and mashed potatoes were staples of her kitchen, but the number one food for many of the grandkids was her egg sandwiches. Her grandkids also knew that if Bonnie was watching television, it was mostly likely on one of two shows...either MASH or Days of Our Lives and they would join her to watch both while helping shell giant bowls of purple hull peas. Any time anyone walked into Bonnie's house, they knew right where they would find her, sitting on her "perch" in the kitchen beside the telephone doing word searches. As much as she spoiled them, she was also no nonsense sort of lady who always said what was on her mind. She cut to the point quickly and would frequently comment "that don't cut no ice" when discounting an excuse.

Bonnie was a strong woman who suffered a broken hip and several bouts of pneumonia. Last year she broke her neck and scalped her head after a fall, but even after all of that, she endured and kept going. She may have looked fragile, but her character was made of steel.

Bonnie was preceded in death by parents, William Charlie Sowell and Leecy Mae Crawford Sowell, her husband Barney Wiggins, her siblings George Lavern Sowell and wife Maggie, Charlsie Ruth Sowell Tipton and husband Wilburn, Maurice James Sowell, Syble Mae Sowell Durham and husband Hughes, WC Sowell and wife Katherine, Doris Estine Sowell Munson and husband Rex, sister in-law Sally Ann Sowell, and brother in-law Bobby Lee Jordan; daughter Myrtle Leecy Wiggins Cooksey; grandson Jason Michael Wright Jr.

She is survived by her son Jobe Wiggins and wife Beverly of Huntsville, and daughters Barbara Brannon and husband Wally of Katy, and Debbie LeBlanc and husband Jerry of Livingston. Grandchildren: Paul Wiggins and wife Lizzy of College Station, Christina Laviolette and husband Stan of Pollok, Wendy Williams and husband Eric of College Station, Julianne Daniel and husband Danny of College Station, Brien Wiggins and wife Maria of Bryan, Lauren Gadberry and husband Zach of College Station, Josh Munnerlyn and wife Aymie of Conroe, Bonnie Cooksey and Jason Laramore of Wylie, Jesse Davis and Alicia Matsushima of Houston, Shanna Hogan and husband Ryan of Katy, Jacob Howard and wife Jenn of Katy, Rebecca Dominy and husband Mark of Bryan, Chase LeBlanc and wife Taylor of College Station. Siblings Milton Conard Sowell of Nacogdoches and Betty Jo Stanley of Livingston and sister in-law Jane Sowell of Georgia. She is also survived by 24 great-grandchildren and friend Geraldine Halstead. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Paul Wiggins, Brien Wiggins, Josh Munnerlyn, Jesse Davis, Jacob Howard, and Chase LeBlanc. Honorary pallbearers will be Christina Laviolette, Wendy Williams, Julianne Daniel, Lauren Gadberry, Bonnie Cooksey, Shanna Hogan, and Rebecca Dominy.

The family requires that anyone wishing to attend the service, must practice social distancing and wear a facial covering. If you do not feel comfortable or you do not feel well the family understands your non-attendance. Please reach out to them through our online guestbook or personal contact at a later date.