Linda Jennings Higgins entered heaven on January 20, 2024 and in the words of nephew, Mark Higgins, “she was a force on this planet that will never be replaced.”Linda was born to Malcolm and Billie (Heidelberg) Jennings on August 5, 1942 in the Madison Hall community. Linda was a woman of firsts in a long list of lifetime achievements—such as being the first woman elected to a citywide position in Jackson, Tennessee—and one last: she was the final editor of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s student newspaper, the Orange and White, before she helped it transition into the Daily Beacon. Even as a high school student she was writing, and was the first person from South Side High School to be a student reporter for the Sun before graduating in 1960.
In her senior year at UT, 1963/64, she was named Most Outstanding Woman Graduate in the College of Business Administration – School of Journalism. This prompted her to join the American Association of University Women, which sparked a lifelong interest in women’s rights.
She married her long-time sweetheart and husband, Richard Higgins on February 8, 1964 making this their 60th year of marriage. In addition to being a career woman, Higgins also held down the household while her husband, who served in the Air Force, was deployed overseas. Later she continued to support Richard in his career as a Jackson Police officer.
She first took a job in public relations and communications for Lambuth College After that, she held roles as a freelance editor and public affairs coordinator for several nonprofits including: West Tennessee Sheriff’s Youthtown, Jackson General Hospital, and Harvest Years Senior Center.
Some years after earning her bachelor’s degree, Higgins decided to pursue her master’s degree in political science with an emphasis in public administration from Memphis State University. She juggled parenting and working while attending classes and graduated in 1981.
After working as a freelance editor and public affairs coordinator, Higgins held many other roles, including: Grants writer, aging planner, and director of planning for the West Tennessee Development District, Executive Director of the Reelfoot Girl Scout Council, Marketing and grants for West Tennessee Legal Services and part-time journalist for the Jackson Sun. Then, in 1996, she became the first woman to win a citywide election in Jackson as the Jackson City Court Clerk. As her career and interests continued to evolve, Higgins began exploring history and genealogy. She was appointed to be the Madison County Historian by former Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam, and she served on the Tennessee Outdoors Commission upon appointment by former Tennessee Governor Lamar Alexander. Not one to stop there, Higgins also co-authored a book, Images of American Madison County.
Her Volunteer spirit has shone brightly for the past six decades and she never stopped giving back to the communities and people who were dear to her. It started with service at her sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha. When she was honored with a Sterling Award as one of West Tennessee’s Most Influential Women, some of her volunteer accomplishments included: Vice chair of the West Tennessee Historical Society Board, Editor of Family Findings, for the Mid-West Tennessee Genealogical Society, Historian for the Jackson-Madison County Daughters of the American Revolution, Member of the West Tennessee Historical Society board, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Tennessee Trust for Historic Preservation, Tennessee Historical Commission and she wrote grants totaling $556,267 to restore the auditorium/theatre in Bemis, Tennessee.
Her extensive accomplishments have made her husband, Richard Higgins, and their three daughters plus son-in-laws, Robin Higgins Horwitz, (Bob), KaCarole Higgins, and Beth Higgins Jones (Brad), immensely proud. Equally proud are her grandchildren: Kelsey & Bonnie Ledford, Keigan Thornton, Parker, Ben & Jett Jones as well honorary family members: Sebastian Truchel, Andru Heath and Emmanuel Bonhomme. Linda is also survived by nephews, David & Daniel Gibbons, Mark Higgins and niece, Melanie Higgins Rutkowski as well as many great and great-great nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents Linda is now reunited with family members Albert & Helen Higgins, Jimmy & Rosalee Gibbons, Terry Higgins, James & Elizabeth Prescott and Joel Gibbons.
Richard Higgins founded the Linda Jennings Higgins UT Knoxville Alumni Tri-Star Scholarship Endowment at the end of 2023, which the family then presented to Linda over the holidays. Richard stated, “She was truly dedicated from the very start…and so this lady should also always be remembered.”
The family requests that memorials go to this scholarship endowment at:
UT Foundation Advancement Services For: Linda Jennings Higgins scholarship in the College of Communications & Information 1525 University Avenue Knoxville, TN
Other tributes may be sent to George Smith and Sons South Chapel.
Funeral services for Linda will be held on Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 2:00 pm at Madison Baptist Church with burial following in the adjacent Hall and King Cemetery. The family will receive friends beginning at 1:00 pm, one hour prior to the service.
