Yvonne Higgins passed away June 4, 2017 in Abilene, TX. She was born February 7, 1935 in Lance Creek WY to Melvin Andrew and Ruby Cecilia Gaukel Nelson. After graduating from Manville High School in Manville, WY, she went on to the Park School of Business, graduating with her Business Degree, and going to work at a bank after her graduation. She married Thomas Gerald “Jerry” Higgins on April 7, 1956 in Lusk, WY. He preceded her in death on November 28, 1998. After they moved to Odessa, she went to work at Sam Houston Elementary School where she worked in the cafeteria, where she enjoyed visiting with the kids. Yvonne was one of the lucky ones born with a green thumb. She loved to take care of her yard and her garden. Tending to her plants and flowers brought her such joy.
A time of visitation with the family will be held from 6 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 7, 2017 at Lakeview Funeral Home, 5000 West Harrison Road, Longview, TX. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 8, 2017 at St. Matthews Catholic Church, 2800 Pine Tree Road, Longview, TX with Rev. Msgr. Xavier Pappu officiating. Entombment will follow at Lakeview Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes memorials be made in Zsa Zsa’s honor to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
She is survived by her son: Dennis Higgins of Odessa; daughter: Starla Bassett and her husband Randall of Longview; daughter: Crystal Williamson and Jason Cline of Longview; Daughter: Lisa Denton and Rick Hill of Athens; grandchildren: Lindi Bridges and her husband Blake of Odessa, Lauren Higgins and her fiance Dano Gray of Odessa, Lacey Hurt and her husband Micah of Harper, TX, Morgan Elliott and her husband Jeramey of Harleton; Randi Bassett of Longview, Jesse Scott and his wife Summer of Longview, Kristin Boyd of Longview, Justin Rowland of Kilgore, Zachary Denton of Tyler; great grandchildren: Kinley Elliott of Harleton, Braydon, Bryli and Brogan Bridges of Odessa and Emory Beyer of Longview; brother: Derryl Nelson and his wife Janelle of Sweetwater, TX; sister: Myrna Baker of Seal Beach, CA; as well as a number of nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members.
