Margaret Sue Higdon passed away on Dec. 26, 2013, at her home in Muscle Shoals. She was born on Sept. 10, 1923, in Hartselle, Ala.
Sue was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin Leon Higdon; brothers, Porter Lee Hanes (Aubry), Asa Hanes (Gladys), and James Lawrence Hanes (Frankie); and sisters, Lois Sybert (Leldon), Maude Lynch (Alton), and Irona Boyt (Herman).
She is survived by her sons, Ronald Douglas Higdon (Ann) of Killen, Ala., and Charles Edwin Higdon (Terry), of Muscle Shoals, Ala.; daughter, Judy Carol Higdon Hart (John) of Saratoga, Calif.; grandchildren, Holly Ann Newton (Steve), Heather Renee Kirby (Jonathan), John Pershing Hart, Andrew Tyler Higdon (Brandi), and Anna Katherine Higdon; great-grandchildren, Joshua, Hannah, Matthew, John Ryan, Ayden, Lily, and Lawson; and nieces and nephews, Rebecca Moore, Stephanie Socha, Joe Lynch, and James Hanes.
Nana Sue is home. Sue is in the kitchen or on the porch. Her life, and especially her joys, can be described by her culture she lived in, the company she kept, her friends and food. Just like Santa, she had a twinkle in her eye.
Born in 1923, in Hartselle, Ala., Sue was surrounded by her three brothers and three sisters and their families and of course Poppa and Mama. She enjoyed 50 plus years being married to Edwin, sharing love and affection and raising her three children.
She loved family and friends and wasn’t afraid to explore the world – she enjoyed many trips to interesting places in the U.S. and later local trips with her infamous band appropriately named “We Ain’t Dead Yet.” Strength was the calling card of her laugh and her love. She dearly loved Edwin and her children and grandchildren and was delighted when the great grandchildren came along.
A longtime member of Woodward Avenue Baptist Church, she truly loved her church family, Ruth Sunday School class and the lunches and fun times she spent with her “Ruth Friends”.
She was a fervent Purple Martin bird watcher and care giver putting up her gourds in the spring, counting the scouts and nests, and shooting away the dreadful Starlings with warning shots from her flip or BB gun. A faithful member of the North West Alabama Purple Martin Club, she celebrated many September birthdays at the annual picnic under the trees.
Mom, Sue, Nana Sue, Grandmother, whatever term she was affectionately called, she gave her love and her time. Ever thoughtful, and even at the end, she was patient to show us selflessness. She put her hand to her heart and perhaps, she imagined herself. somewhere within her wonderful life and just like always, she went home.
Visitation will be at Colbert Memorial Chapel today from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. with the service to follow in the chapel at 1 p.m. Burial will be at Forrest Chapel United Methodist Church in Hartselle, Ala. Dr. Tom Whatley will be officiating.
Pallbearers will be Vertis Driver, Chester Venable, Ben Kocisek, Jack Pounders, Phil Wakefield, Grey Ogle, John “Pershing” Hart, and Andrew Tyler Higdon.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to
Woodward Avenue Baptist Church,
801 Woodward Avenue
Muscle Shoals, AL 35661.
