Willa D. Higgins

Willa Dean Higgins, 79 of Fort Sumner, NM died Tuesday, February 15, 2005 at the Guadalupe County Hospital following an illness. Willa was born March 26, 1925 in Antlers, Oklahoma to the home of Hank Cooper and the former Pauline Blevins. She was reared and attended school at Antlers. She moved with her family to a ranch west of Santa Rosa in 1941. She married John R. Higgins on November 10, 1949 at Taos, NM. John and Willa made their home in Cuervo, NM from 1949 to 1979. She owned and operated Willa’s Beauty Shop in Santa Rosa for many years. She was a member of the Church of Christ in Santa Rosa where she was baptized in 1951. Willa was a past member of Eastern Star in Santa Rosa. John and Willa made their home in Fort Sumner in the 1980’s. Willa was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. According to her family, her life was caring for her children and grandchildren. Willa was preceded in death by her parents. Survivors include her husband of 56 years, John R. Higgins Sr. of Fort Sumner; four sons John R. Higgins Jr. and wife Eva of Cuervo, NM; Freddy Higgins of Beaumont, TX; Gene Higgins of Fort Sumner; and Joe Higgins and wife Theresa of Las Vegas, NV; also surviving is a brother Hugh Cooper and wife Tini of Tucumcari, NM, a sister Orva Lee Barnhart of Albuquerque, ten grandchildren, six great-grandchildren along with many friends. Graveside funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 19, 2005 from the Cuervo Cemetery, Cuervo, New Mexico. Her sons and grandsons will officiate. Visitation will be Friday from 1pm to 6pm at the Chavez Funeral Home in Santa Rosa. Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 923 S. Third Street; Santa Rosa, New Mexico. (505) 472-3369. For online condolences, go to www.chavezfuneralhome.com