Monaca Leigh Wiggers Harrelson, 51, of Columbia, South Carolina, died June 13, 2025, at Prisma Health Richland. Born December 29, 1973, in Lumberton, North Carolina, she was the daughter of Daniel "Dan" Sheeley Wiggers and Jaquelynn "Jackie" Marlene Metts Wiggers.

She was a member of Pomaria Lutheran Church. She has been employed the state of South Carolina for many years, working in the state's Port Authority in Charleston, Labor Licensing & Regulations department, the department of Mental Health and recently began working for the State Forestry Department. Monaca graduated from the College of Charleston with a degree in Anthropology. She also did course work towards a Master's Degree in Historic Preservation at the University of Georgia. In her earlier years she worked in France and she traveled Europe.

Monaca was a determined, strong willed and independent woman. She filled her life with knowledge and was always adventurous towards testing her strengths and abilities to do great things. Monaca knew how to fish; she knew how to shrimp; even drive a tractor and work a backhoe. When she got her first car – she immediately wanted to know how to change her own oil. She loved working on the family farm and helping others. Monaca enjoyed taking on objectives and projects that many would have thought would be un-accomplishable, but she did it.

Monaca loved cooking. She was always up for trying out new recipes and this eventually led her into trying out and signing up for cooking recipe competitions. Family functions were important, especially when it came to the reunions and holidays. Being the adventurous person she was, Monaca loved to travel. Visiting Alaska was one of her many all-time favorite adventures. A few of her other past times were seeking and learning her family's history through her genealogy work, reading novels by Dianne Gabaldon and books like "Little House on the Prairie".

If you knew Monaca, you knew she was a lover of animals, but mainly, she was "anything and everything, all cats". She loved sharing cat videos with friends and family.

In addition to her parents, Monaca is survived by her brother, Jason Ryan Wiggers (Scott); aunts, Judy Metts Morris (Robert) and Christine Wiggers; uncle, Ernie P. Wiggers (Hope); and a host of cousins. Monaca is also survived by her beloved cat, Sweet pea.

She is predeceased by her uncle, Michael "Mike" Wiggers, Sr.

Memorial services will be held 2:00 PM, Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at Pomaria Lutheran Church, officiated by Rev. Michele Fischer.

The family will gather for visitation, following the service, in the church social hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pomaria Lutheran Church's Building Fund.

Memories and condolences can be shared here on her tribute wall.

Whitaker Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Monaca Harrelson