Lutricia Michelle Wiggins

Lutricia Michelle Wiggins was a devoted and caring mother to her children, Tatianna Wiggins and Nathaniel Wiggins Jr. and she was the beloved daughter of Mary Ruth Manuel and the late James Michael Manuel. She was born on May 26, 1970, in Beaufort, South Carolina. Lutricia departed this life on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 after enduring two hard fought battles with Breast Cancer.

Lutricia known to most as Michelle or simply "Chelle" was the oldest of four children. She was primarily raised in Knox City, Texas and was loved and adored by her community. Michelle attended Knox City High School the same

as her father, siblings, son, nephew and niece. She participated in many sports and class activities.

Michelle, a graduate of Temple College, received her Associate's Degree in Applied Sciences. She also attended McMurry University in Abilene, Texas where she graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education and went on to a lifelong career as a Medical Lab Technician. Michelle was certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), which contributed to her education and a thirty (30) year career that allowed her to work at Darnall Army Medical Center in Fort Hood, Texas and Hendricks Medical Center in Abilene and Brownwood, Texas.

She was an accomplished professional and truly loved by her co-workers, with most becoming like family. She was blessed with her work and given an opportunity to travel across the country to places like New York, Massachusetts, New Mexico, and Colorado. She spread the infectious love and joy in her heart with so many and it sparked a passion in her that she pursued at every chance.

Michelle was an avid traveler and loved to see and experience this amazing planet she lived on. She traveled to Jamaica and the Bahamas numerous times and loved taking cruises. Above all, she loved a good girl's trip with her closest friends and taking her children to all the places they wanted to go from Disney World to Morocco and all the places in between. Not only did she enjoy exploring and adventuring, she also managed her own personal travel agency, assisting others with making their dreams come true and sharing her passion with those around her.

To know Michelle was to love her and her love will continue to be spread by her surviving family members: Tatianna Wiggins, her beautiful daughter; Nathaniel Wiggins, her dedicated son; Mary Ruth Manuel, her devoted mother; one brother, James Michael "Bubba" Manuel Jr.; two sisters, Annella "Shea" Manuel and Tonya Manuel; one aunt, Jewell Culberson, one uncle, Grady Floyd Lewis; two nieces, Vivica Manuel and Myleshia (Ra'King Manuel and Syntrel Griffin; one daughter, Syearia Griffin) Manuel; 5 nephews, Malik Manuel, Michael Angelo Martinez Manuel, Dominic Manuel, Treyvon Manuel and Zai'deon Manuel; five cousins, Anwar Culberson and family; Jerry Culberson and family; Kandon Culberson and family; Corey Culberson; Linda Mayes Howard and family; and a host of second and third cousins, and one best friend Dana. Michelle was preceded in death by her grandparents Carlene and James Manuel; three uncles, James Culberson, Doma Franklin, and Sonny Manuel; three cousins, Debra Manuel, Dwight Manuel, and Leola Eddington.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00am, Saturday, October 12, 2024, at the First Baptist Church in Knox City, Texas with Bishop Shelton C. Rhodes officiating. Burial will follow the service at the Knox City Cemetery under the direction of Smith Family Funeral Homes, Knox City. A visitation is planned from 6:00 to 7:00pm, Friday, October 11, 2024, at the funeral home, 210 Ave. A, Knox City, Texas.

Online condolences can be shared with the family at www.smithfamilyfh.com.