Kathleen L. Higgins

Kathleen L. Higgins, 94, passed away, on May 27, 2013, at Emeritus at Spicewood Springs, Skilled Nursing Facility in Austin, Texas. Kathleen Louisa Hallworth Higgins was born in Weybridge, Surrey England on July 12, 1918, to George and Gladys Hallworth. She was raised in Fowlmere, Cambridgeshire along with her younger brother, George, and sister, Joan. Kath, as she was called by her family, met Harvey Monroe Higgins during World War II, and they married in England on her birthday, July 12, 1944. In 1945 after the war ended, Kath moved to Columbus, MS, and lived with Harvey’s parents, Van Beuren and Luna Higgins. In 1946, they purchased their first home on Grove Street in West Point, where Harvey worked as a salesman for Chandler-Walker Mercantile Company. In 1947, the same year that their daughter Carole was born, they opened Higgins 5 & 10¢ store on Murf Row on Main Street. In 1961, they bought their second store “up-town” on Commerce Street which is now occupied by Galloway-Chandler-McKinney, Insurance Company. Kath and Harvey sold their store and retired around 1975, but Kath enjoyed being around people and continued to work part-time for several more years. During their retirement years, however, they enjoyed traveling back to England to visit relatives and to various other locations around the world including France, Turkey, China and Brazil. Kath was a member of the First United Methodist Church and was a member of the Pilot Club for many years. She was a wonderful cook and her specialties reflected her English heritage as did her gardening abilities. She thoroughly enjoyed working in her flower beds and tending her azaleas, roses, etc. winning a couple of Yard of the Month awards. Her passion for many years, however, has been playing bridge with her friends as often as possible… all they had to do was call, and she’d be there. She enjoyed her trips to Austin to visit her daughter and family and most of all enjoyed spending time with them at Lake Travis floating on an inner tube or fishing and catching perch and catfish. Finally, in 2012 she decided to move to Austin to be closer to family. It was a difficult decision, but as with her first journey to the US, this too proved to be a test of her strength to which she quickly adapted. She will be missed dearly by her numerous new friends at the Renaissance – Austin, Senior Living Community. She was a cherished friend, a wonderful and nurturing Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother; a very strong and faithful woman in every aspect of her life. She made friends wherever she went and will be missed more than she can imagine by more people than she could possibly believe. Funeral services will be Thursday, May 30, 2013, at 3:00 P.M. from First United Methodist Church in West Point with the Reverend Jeff Shannon officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery in West Point, MS. Calvert Funeral Home of West Point is in charge of arrangements. Survivors include Her daughter, Carole Higgins Morton (Donald); Two Granddaughters: Stephanie Morton Whitten (Cliff) and Meredith Morton; One Great Grandson: Chase Whitten all of Austin, TX In addition to her parents, Mrs. Kathleen was preceded in death by her Brother: George Hallworth and by her Sister: Joan Watkins. Pallbearers will be Kenny Dill, Robert Harris, Cliff Whitten, Bucky Kellogg, Bubba Atkins, and Louis Land. Honorary Pallbearers will be Joe Harold Bell, Boyd Edward, Garland Colbert, Danny Ivey, Buster Orr, Master Cody Pearson, Frank Portera, Bob Wyman, Billy Buck Staggers, Bob Marshall, Hughey Cooper, Art Strobel, Robbie Robinson, and Dr. T.N. Braddock. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, Post Office Box 293, West Point, MS 39773 Visitation will be Thursday, May 30, 2013, from 1:00-3:00 P.M. at First United Methodist Church in West Point.

Kathleen L. Higgins

May 29, 2013