Cecil Higgins

Cecil Higgins, 89, of Gordonsville, formerly of Scottsville, went to be with the Lord Jesus Christ on Wednesday, September 7, 2022, at his home surrounded by family.

He was born on April 21, 1933, to the late Lincoln and Lula Foster Higgins.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his bride, the love of his life of 48 years, Doris Jean Higgins, known as Jean; his granddaughter, Catherine Marie Higgins; his twin brother, Winston Higgins and his wife, Virginia; a sister, Lois Higgins; and two brother in-laws, Johnny Marks and Delma Shifflett.

Cecil is survived by and leaves behind to treasure his memory, his two sons, Rev. Donald Keith Higgins and his wife, Nancy of Petersburg, Alaska and Rev. Barry Trent Higgins and his wife, Linda of Gordonsville; six grandchildren that he was “Popaw” to, Tabitha Joyce Carpenter and her husband, Patrick, Amanda Jean Baseler and her husband, Brooks, both of Gordonsville, Laura Pauline Drake of Spotsylvania, Dr. Sarah Ann Higgins, Elizabeth Joye Higgins and Benjamin Keith Higgins, all of North Carolina; seven cherished great-grandchildren, Matthew Edward Carpenter, Hanna Grace Carpenter, and Jacob Trent Carpenter, all of Gordonsville, Kaelynn Jean Drake, Allyson Marie Drake, Jonathan Lewis Drake and Jackson Cole Drake, all of Spotsylvania; his siblings, James “Jimmy’’ Higgins and his wife, Phyllis of Charlottesville, Catherine Gillispie and her husband, Paul, Ina Wilson and her husband, Dan, all of Scottsville; Sister in-law’s, Lula Marks, Pauline Racer and husband, Herman, and Katharine Shepard of Madison; several nieces and nephews; two special family friends, Lula Johnson and Tommy Breeden; along with a host of extended family members and friends.

Cecil led a very fulfilling life! After he served in the Navy, he came home in 1956, where he met Jean, and they married October of that same year. Together, they raised their sons and after living in Ohio, they came home to set roots in Virginia, where Cecil worked at the University of Virginia and Blue Ridge Heating Plants before retiring in the 1990’s. In 1983, Cecil and Jean purchased their beloved farm home in Scottsville, which he remodeled and created a masterpiece. He was a founding member of Scottsville Independent Baptist Church, after building it with family, including his son, Barry. He could often be found collecting his next antique at an auction or working on his antique Cadillacs. He cherished his wife and family, loved hunting, fishing and playing practical jokes. Cecil will truly be missed.

The family would like to express gratitude for Hospice of the Piedmont for the love and support during Cecil’s final weeks.

The funeral service will be private and for immediate family only, but a public memorial service will be hosted at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you would consider sending a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association at 655 15th St. NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20005.

Family and friends may share memories and photos at www.thackerbrothers.com.

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