Victoria Wiggins Hummelstein

ELLEN VICTORIA WIGGINS HUMMELSTEIN
September 26, 1920 – September 4, 2013

Ellen Victoria Wiggins Hummelstein, 92, of Jonesboro passed away Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013. She was born September 26, 1920 in Tyronza, Arkansas, the only child of Rev. Sam B. Wiggins and Rena Idele Harrington Wiggins. She came to Jonesboro as the daughter of a Methodist Minister and here met the love of her life, Lee Hummelstein.

Victoria graduated from Conway High School and from Hendrix College with a BA in Humanities. After graduation she worked as a 7th and 8th grade science and social studies teacher in Fayetteville, Arkansas and for Mid Continent Airline in Kansas City.

She owned and operated Lee Orchid Company growing, breeding and selling orchids, and doing other floral work during the early years of marriage.

At ASU, she earned a Master’s and a Specialist Degree in education and taught 7th grade science at Annie Camp Junior High and MacArthur Junior High before becoming a guidance counselor at Valley View and Westside schools. In addition to her career in education, Victoria was a multi-talented woman who among other duties helped teach her grandson about computers.

Victoria and Lee were active members of First United Methodist Church of Jonesboro. She served as Sunday School Superintendent for the Junior High age group, co-chaired the Board of Missions with her husband Lee, and was an active member of United Methodist Women. She was also active in PEO Chapter BN, Delta Kappa Gamma, DAR, Keep America Beautiful programs and many others.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Lee Hummelstein, and her granddaughter Nicole Turner Sloan. She is survived by her three children, Vicki Hummelstein, Lee Ann Sloan and her husband John, Sam Hummelstein and his wife Marilyn, her grandson Matthew Lee Sloan and a sister in law, Molly Rappoport of Tucson, Arizona.

Victoria’s home was always open and welcoming to her children’s friends and was often the gathering place for their parties and band rehearsals. She loved animals and there was a long succession of well known and beloved four legged family members.

Mrs. Hummelstein often blended Methodist traditions with those of Lee’s family’s traditions occasionally hosting Seder suppers including their Methodist minister and Jewish family members.

Visitation will be from 1 - 2 p.m. on Friday in the atrium of First United Methodist Church. A memorial service will follow in First United Methodist Chapel with John Miles and Patty Soward officiating. Graveside service will be private.

Lasting memorials may be sent to First United Methodist Church of Jonesboro, 801 S. Main St, Jonesboro, AR 72401, St. Bernards Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House, c/o St. Bernards Foundation, 400 East Street, Jonesboro, AR 72401 or the charity of your choice.