THE LIFE, LOVE, and LEGACY

OF Erma Dean Wiggins Price

Erma Dean Wiggins was born on June 9, 1947 in Newport News, VA to the late Elbert and Matilda Patrick Wiggins.  She accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Zion Baptist Church in Newport News, VA.  The nurturing she received during her formative years at Zion was to guide her throughout her life as she served God, pursued her passion as an educator and musician & gave back to her community. Erma was educated in the Newport News Public School system, graduating in 1965 from Huntington High School.  She furthered her educational studies at Winston-Salem State University, receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education in 1970.   She was affectionately known as Mom, Aunt Erma, "Peabo", "Ermart", "Erm-Diggy", & her favorite title, Grandma.

Erma Price – The Matriarch

She was a family-oriented woman who enjoyed several families; her biological family, her church family, her Silhouette & AKA sisters, her Marching Storm and Sounds of Thunder Family, her YAC family,  her professional family, & her Kappa Cardinal family, to name a few.

Erma was married to the love of her life & high school sweetheart, Arthur on September 6, 1968.  To this union, two lovely children were born.

Erma Price – The Educator

Erma was hired to work in the Newport News Public School System in 1971.  Her first teaching assignment was as Junior Band Director at Huntington High school where she was afforded the honor of working with her high school band director and mentor; the legendary Wray Raphael Herring, Sr.  In 1972 her career took an interesting twist as she was called upon to replace another Huntington Legend, Mr. Arthur Bolden, who at the time of his death was the choir director at Warwick High School.  In spite of her instrumental music background, she experienced great success with the Warwick High School treble chorus, boy's chorus, acapella choir, and mixed chorus.

Following her time at Warwick, she worked as an elementary school resource band director at Booker T. Washington, Magruder, Thomas Jefferson, Briarfield, and Newport Academy.

In 1976, she was assigned to serve as full-time band director at Dunbar Middle School.  In 1986 Erma was assigned to serve in a similar capacity where her trend of excellence continued.  As a woodwind instructor, she, along with Dianne Chapman-Terrell (Strings/Orchestra), the late Diane Redcross (Chorus) and Jennifer Gratto (Brass instructor) collaborated with the core teachers to present many interdisciplinary programs that encompassed the entire middle school curriculum. hen Heritage High School opened in 1996, in addition to her duties at Hines Middle School, she accepted the responsibility as an assistant band director.  This position she held until 2001 when she would become Heritage's band director and the first African-American female band director in Newport News Public School history.  Under her direction, the band grew to a marching unit of 140 students.  Her award-winning band traveled with over 100 students to California and placed third in a national band competition, thus becoming the pride of Southeast Newport News.  Because of health issues, she retired from the public schools in 2008.

Erma Price – The Minister of Music

Erma began her Music Ministry work as a Music director for the Youth Choir at Second Baptist East End in the 1970's.  After her maternity leave in 1977, she returned to ministry as the director of the Junior Choir, Chorus Choir, and Senior Choir at Macedonia Baptist Church.  It was shortly thereafter that she became Minister of Music.

Under her leadership, the Music Ministry of Macedonia blossomed.  The Choral Ensemble, Young Adult Choir, Male Chorus, Mass Choir, Angel Choir & CHOSEN praise dance ministry were all born.

Erma Price – The Church Leader

After the promotion of Rev. John Wilson to Pastor of Macedonia, Erma became the Youth Church Ministry Leader.  It was under her leadership that the Angel Tree, VBS Sports Camp were initiated.  She also served as Vice Chairman of the Deaconess Board, and was an active member of the church anniversary planning committee.

Erma Price – The Community Servant

Always an open door, Erma has assisted in the raising, feeding, and nurturing of numerous youths within the community. She allowed her home to be a safe haven for all who rang the doorbell.

At the time of her transition, she was a member of the Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and the President of the Hampton-Newport News Chapter of the National Silhouettes of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Erma was preceded in death by her parents, Elbert & Matilda Wiggins, sisters Dorothy & Vanessa and Godmother Sara Ingram.  Left to carry on Erma's  legacy are her loving and devoted husband of over 55 years, Arthur, son Gregory and daughter Stephanie, their spouses and loves of her life/cooking partners, Gabrielle & Esh, her Grandchildren Brianna, Cameron, Ramiyah, Gynia, Xavier, Gregory Jr. (Justin), Evan, and Ian.  Also, her sisters in law (more like sisters), Rebecca, Roberta (David), Sandra (Charles), Valerie (Jerome), and Joanne, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, church family, friends, students, sorority sisters, Kappa Silhouette sisters, the Kappa Cardinals Family, and several very dear friends.

Viewing will be held Thursday, May 16, 2024 from 11:00 am until 5:00 pm at Cooke Bros. Funeral Chapel, 1601-27th Street, Newport News, Va.23607.  The Ivy Beyond The Wall Ceremony will be held at 6:00 p.m. A homegoing celebration will be held 12 Noon, Friday, May 17, 2024 at Macedonia Baptist Church, 5500 Marshall Avenue, Newport News, VA. Interment will follow in Hampton Memorial Gardens.