Memory Elaine Watts Biggs, 83 of Arab, Alabama died Monday, November 28, 2016 at Marshall Medical Center North.
Mrs. Biggs was born April 8, 1933 in the Plateau Community of Mobile, Alabama to Judon Lansing Watts and Mildred Brunson Watts. Memory graduated from Murphy High School in Mobile. After high school, she entered nursing school at Mobile Infirmary, but dropped out to marry John Havard Biggs on May 16, 1953. She re-entered nursing school when her younger child was a kindergartner, earning her R.N. in her middle 30’s. She delighted in working the Labor and Delivery area of the former Arab Hospital, as well as in the Emergency Room. She helped deliver many babies who are now in their 40’s, and has remained friends with them, their parents, and their grandparents. After leaving Arab Hospital, Memory worked in the Dialysis unit at Huntsville Hospital until a disabling condition forced her to retire at age 52.
Although she missed her nursing career, retirement enabled Memory to spend much more time with her family. She doted on her children, grandchildren, and eventually the great-grandchildren, spending hours playing board games. Her favorite vacation was cruising, and Memory and her husband, John, took many cruises, including a number to the Caribbean and one to Alaska. An avid reader, she volunteered many hours in Arab Public Library, and after the Friends of the Library Book Store came into being, she frequently volunteered there as well.
Memory was preceded in death by her parents, Judon Lansing Watts and Mildred Anna Brunson Watts. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, John Biggs; her daughter, Carol Biggs Watkins and John of Hoover, Al. and her son, John Biggs, Jr. and Sharon of Arab, Al. Her grandchildren are Eric Watkins and fiancé Jodi, Adam Watkins and Jennifer Watkins; John Biggs, III (John Trey); Matthew and JoAnna Shipp, and Nathan and Bonnie Shipp. Her great grandchildren are Natasha, Colin, Xander, AJ, Braeden and Caleb. She is also survived by her sister, Rose Marie Watts Robbins of Citronelle, Alabama; by her sister-in-law, Doris Biggs Megginson of Mobile and by nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family members and many friends.
Memory became a Christian at age 9, and although her disability in later life prevented her attendance at many church functions, she remained assured of her salvation. She was a member of Arab First Baptist Church since moving to Arab in 1965.
Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday December 1, 2016 at Arab Heritage Memorial Chapel with Dr. Clint Landry, officiating. Burial will be in Arab Memorial Cemetery with Arab Heritage Memorial Chapel, directing.
Pallbearers will be Matthew Shipp, Nathan Shipp, Eric Watkins, Adam Watkins, Jennifer Watkins, John Trey Biggs and Colin Shipp.
Visitation will be 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Wednesday November 30, 2016 at Arab Heritage Memorial Chapel.
