A tragedy that shook a small town

Sunday's Walk and Ride fundraiser for the Wiggins family brought out nearly 150 well-wishers, family and friends in Roachdale. The crowd walked from Shabby-n-Sheek to the site of the Wiggins mobile home, were people laid down flowers and tied up balloons in memory of the family that perished in a tragic Feb. 17 fire. More than $2,000 was raised for funeral expenses and the Special Olympics, which played a large role in Robert Wiggins life.

ROACHDALE -- On a bright and chilly Sunday at 8 a.m. close to 150 people came out and showed their respect to one family from a small town. The family members died on Feb. 17 in a fire at their Roachdale mobile home that claimed the lives of Charleen, Susan and Robert Wiggins.

To help with cost of funeral arrangements Shabby--n-Sheek own Jodi Clodfelter came up with an idea to do a walk and ride for the Wiggins family that was lost and the surviving daughter, Kim Wiggins.

"Me and my family are greatly appreciative to the community for all of their support," Kim Wiggins said Sunday morning before heading off to hug another supporter.

The Wiggins family made an impact on many peoples lives in the town of Roachdale. Many shared their stories of the family and even more had stories about Robert or "Bobby" as many called him.

"My husband and I moved to Roachdale, Bobby was the one to greet us. (I will) miss Bobby and Susan. She was a great woman," Megan Burdine said.

Burdine, a friend of the Wiggins family, stood with a bunch of balloons with each of the Wiggins family names on them as she told little anecdotes about the family. "I didn't know Charleen, but to have two kids like them she must be a good person," she said.

With a crowd waiting outside of her business Clodfelter addressed those who came to the walk, reminding them it would be starting soon. She seemed shocked at the number of people who came out.

"I announced it, and it came together," Clodfelter said. "I really didn't have to do much of anything. I do want to thank everybody."

Clodfelter started this idea one night last week and the event raised $700-$800 in the first two days. She also hopes to make it an annual event to help raise money for Special Olympics.

"Bobby was a coach and has been participating with the group since he was about 16," Clodfelter said. "It seemed like the best place to give the money."

Bobby was known to most people in town as having a "heart of gold." Many people participating in the event knew him and what he had done for people in the town.

"Bobby didn't know a stranger," Julie Carns noted.

"He knew your name and greeted you with a smile," Rocky Collier said, also elaborating on Bobby's nature.

Roachdale Town Marshal Mike Mahoy shared a story of Bobby and his desire to help others. Last Sunday's tragic blaze was not the first house fire in which Wiggins had been involved in. His house caught fire almost a year ago when no one was home and he also helped a neighbor in another.

"Bobby's neighbor's house caught fire a while back," Malloy said, "He ran in and saved a family of four from it."

He went on to say how Wiggins would drive around town just looking to make sure things were OK.

Many at the fundraiser described ways Wiggins had helped those in the community and just that he was a good man that helped others.

As friends, neighbors and others made their way to the Wiggins home, many faces told of hurt and sadness over the loss. While others tried to send messages of hope and love for the departed family.

Balloons and flowers were left on the charred steps of what once was the Wiggins family home as the walk came to an end.

One message is clear -- this small town will greatly miss this departed family.