St. Clair County Obits

BESSIE HIGGINS

St. Clair County Courier
Friday, 23 May 2008

I was born October 21, 1902. the daughter of F.E. and Nancy Olive [Wisner] Disney. I grew up in the foothills of the beautiful Ozark Mountains, six miles east of Osceola. My parents were hard working country people and we never measured our richess in dollars and cents. It was in these hills, with my two brothers I learned to ride, swim, fish, trap and shoot. In fact I was the tom boy in our community.

Except for my first grade, I attended Dillon School near my home graduating from the eighth grade. In those days, we didn't have buses to pick us up. We walked over the hills and through the pastures for a distance of one and one-half miles. We seldom missed a day and were not tardy.

My parents were devout Christians and Sunday morning we children attended Sunday School. My father always went with us. Since our community did not have a church building our meetings were held in the school house. Once a month we had preaching and usually a revival once a year. At the age of 12, I was converted in a revival meeting held by Mr. W. K. Henderson of Osceola.

I attended high school at Osceola and in 1922 graduated with a two-year state certificate to teach and the most wonderful boyfriend in the world, Clarence A. Higgins, son of Charles E. Higgins. I taught school two years. In June 1924 I married Clarence. We have had wonderful children; Alliene, Joan, Jean and Ray.

Family members preceding her in death were her husband, Clarence; daughter Alliene Hendricks and husband Joe; daughter Joan Purvis Piepmeier and husband Maurice Purvis; son-in-law Dell Arduser; grandson Stephen Hendricks and granddaughter Carol Daulton.

Surviving family members are: daughter, Jean Arduser; son, Ray Higgins and wife Sue; son-in-law H.J. Piepmeier; grandchildren: Connie Sheldon; Nancy Ingraham and husband David; Theresa Lackey and husband David; grandson-in-law Bruce Daulton; Ann Higgins; Ellen Calipari and husband John; Michael Higgins and wife Nora; Dennis Higgins and wife Linda; 13 great-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; thre great-great-grandchildren and one step-great-great-grandchild.

Services were held Saturday, May 17 at the First Baptist Church of Osceola. Officiated by Rev. Scott Hill and Rev. Barry Edwards.

Music selections included "Whispering Hope" by Tammy Gilmore, Bessie's song, "Sing and Rejoice" by Richard Sunderwirh, "There's Room at the Cross" by Nancy Carrell, Gail Ingle accompanist.

Casketbearers included Ryan Sheldon, Rod Sheldon, Brock Daulton, Dennis Higgins, David Lackey and Bruce Daulton.

Interment was in Kidds Chapel Cemetery, Lowry City.

Arrangements were made by Sheldon-Goodrich Funeral Home, Osceola.