Julia Nichols Higgins

Julia Nichols Higgins, 89, of Columbia, widow of Ralph G. Higgins, Jr., died Saturday, April 8, 2017, at Palmetto Health Baptist Parkridge.

Born on January 16, 1928, in Prosperity, she was the only child of Julian Emmett and Mary Bedenbaugh Nichols. She was a graduate of Newberry College and taught school for several years in Batesburg-Leesville. Mrs. Higgins also worked in a florist and was a wonderful homemaker. She resided in Spartanburg, SC for many years and in recent years had been in Columbia, SC. While in Columbia she was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church. Over the years she has been involved with Garden Clubs, Church Women's Circles and making banners for her church. She used her talent as a seamstress to make costumes for the Spartanburg Civic Ballet. Mrs. Higgins loved gardening, her family and her many pets.

She is survived by a son, Col. Ralph Grady (Rebecca) Higgins III, USA Ret.; daughters, Lt. CDR Mary Ruth Evans, USN Ret., Julie Ann (William) Holloway and Carolyn Frances (John) Chester and a grandson, Christopher Alan Durden.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 13, 2017 at 2:00 pm at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 525 St. Andrews Road, Columbia, SC 29210, by the Rev. Gary Loadholt. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or the American Cancer Society, PO Box 1741, Greenwood, SC 29648.

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