Daughter recounts many family blessings
Parents hold special place in Wiggins' heart
By QUALA MATOCHA lifestyle@leader-news.com
It's devotion for each other and family that has kept one couple close and the love of a daughter who appreciates all the life lessons they've offered.

Dearest Mom & Dad This Valentine's Day, Janet Wiggins appreciates her parents A.L. and Verna Tarver and all they have done for her over the years. At left, she admires a penciled sketch of them in their younger years. Her daughter Tasha did this piece several years ago using two separate photos of the couple. Wiggins believes in saying 'I Love You' to the people who mean so much to her through frequent phone calls and cards. The Tarvers have six children and a host of other family members to carry on their legacy. L-N Photo by Quala Matocha

For Janet Wiggins, there isn't a day that goes by when she doesn't think about her parents, call them or send a card.

"I just want Mother and Daddy to know how I feel," she said. "They can never imagine what they have done in my life. No matter what I have gone through, they have been there for me. We (their children) are the people we are because of them."

Wiggins' mother and father, Verna and A.L. Tarver of El Campo, have been constant companions for more than 60 years. It is their love for each other that has kept their family close, always helping each other in times of need.

"When my son Tanner was in an accident in October 2007, within an hour all of my family was there," she said. "We couldn't get Tanner in the house." So her father and brother Randy Tarver made a ramp for easy access in and out of their home.

Her parents and family reached out to help her again in 1994 when her home in Conroe was flooded.

"They were right here," she said. "After my home flooded the house had mold. Mom and all my family came over, helped move boxes, and items away to safer storage."

Growing up in the Tarver household, Wiggins and her siblings learned some valuable lessons. They were taught to work hard like their dad and make holidays special like their mom.

"What is special about Dad is he was a hard man, but I don't really look at him as being hard. I thank God he is the way he is," she said.

A.L. always did manual labor, and "I use my dad as an example to my children. If Daddy can do it, by George I can do this too," she said.

Her father, who turned 85 Jan. 31, worked at Transco for 21 years before retiring.

"He couldn't stand retirement, so he went to work for Wal-Mart." He took some brief time off recently to take care of her mom who has diabetes. He has since returned to work at Wal-Mart where he received his 20-year pin last April.

Her mother, who will be 80 May 6, holds a special place in her heart as well. "My mom is my best friend," she said. "And so are my girls, Tasha and Tiffani."

"Everything mother does is memorable. Everyone knows my mom for her decorating," she said. "There isn't a holiday she doesn't make memorable. She will even decorate for the election this year."

Christmases, Easter and vacations at Garner State Park are a time for family get-togethers.

"At Christmas, Mother and Daddy's doors are open to other people too, not just family," she said. "We had 83 at Christmas Eve."

To accommodate the big crowd, her parents have transformed their barn into a gathering place with a Christmas tree, decorations and the comforts of home.

"For vacations, we all go to Garner State Park," Wiggins said. "We started out camping in tents when I was nine. The kids still sleep in tents."

The older members sleep in campers. During a two week period, her parents will camp while other family members come as they can during that time. Her sister Rhonda works as a hostess at Garner and another sister, Judy, works in the office. Her son-in-law Greg Treme is the ranger at Garner.

Also, at Garner State Park, the family planted a tree and hung a wind chime on its branch to remember Rhonda's late son Jared Farrar who died five years ago this March.

"At our campsite you can see the chime up there," she said.

Coping with loss, it is times like this that Wiggins appreciates her parents and family. The Tarvers have a deceased daughter, Tanya Tarver, and another deceased grandson, Vince Schnurpel.

"I can't imagine families if they can't cope like we do," she said. "No matter where we are, we are there for each other."

Being parents to six children, her parents have opened their doors to others, too.

"They've been Mom and Dad to other people, like Jerry Farrar who lived with them. He was like an added son," she said. They also welcomed a boy from the Beeville Children's Home at one time.

The Tarvers six children and in-laws are Glenda Hemphill and husband Ed of Canyon Lake, Judy Hunter and husband Jimmy of El Campo, Rhonda Farrar and husband Garron of El Campo, Janet Wiggins and husband Craig of Montgomery, Randy Tarver and wife Debbie of El Campo and the late Tanya Tarver. They have 17 grandchildren 10 or whom are married, 27 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. Mr. Tarver served during WWII on board the USS Kilty that was headed to Pearl Harbor after it was bombed.

The Tarvers will celebrate their 63rd wedding anniversary July 19.