Mrs. Mary Joyce Higgins, of Huntsville, died Friday, Nov. 20, at home. Joyce, as she was known, was a Huntsville resident for 51 years and was the wife of Chuck Higgins for 62 years. A native of Pulaski, TN, she moved with her family to Covington, KY along the Ohio River and she became a long-time Cincinnati Reds fan, attending games at historic Crosley Field and meeting famous players after their games. Joyce played high school basketball in an era when defensive players could not cross half-court. She also enjoyed dancing at the many dance halls along the Ohio Riverfront at the time, eventually meeting Chuck in Cincinnati.
After their marriage, Joyce and Chuck moved to Charleston, WV, where their four children, T.J., Marianne, Chuck and James, were born. The family moved to Huntsville in 1969 and Joyce worked several years at the Purple Peanut children’s clothing store. A long-time reader of the Huntsville News and The Huntsville Times, Joyce was also a volunteer room mother at Holy Spirit Catholic School. She dearly loved her children, three grandchildren and SEC football – especially Alabama. Joyce enjoyed working crossword puzzles and reading mystery novels.
Joyce is survived by her husband, Chuck; daughter, Marianne Higgins (Bud McLaughlin); sons, T.J. Higgins, Chuck Higgins, and James Higgins (Karen Garrett Higgins); three grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Mary Walsh; her sister, Patricia Hooven; and brother, Joe Walsh.
Funeral Mass will be at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with the Rev. Michael Mac Mahon officiating. Arrangements will be announced by Laughlin Service Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, 625 Airport Road, Huntsville, AL 35802.
