Obituaries

Raymond Barham Higgins

Photo of Raymond Barham Higgins
Raymond Barham Higgins, 91, of El Dorado, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 11 in the John R. Williamson Hospice House. He was born Nov. 1, 1919 in Wirt, Oklahoma, the son of Raymond Edward and Grace Elzeator Barham Higgins. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Ruth Roberts, Eloyce Sallee, Willa Dean Garrett, and his first wife, Doris Mae Adcock following 32 years of marriage. He is survived by his wife, Patsy Gold Higgins, El Dorado; sons, Raymond Edward Higgins II (Judy) of Little Rock, and John Paul Higgins (Sally) of Weddington, N.C.; grandchildren, Adam, Charlie, Ryan, Caroline and Collin Higgins; step daughters, Debbie Morrison (Dr. Steve) of Monticello, Ark., and Donna Harris (Bob) of Wynne; step-son, Scott Gold (Ali) of El Dorado; step grandchildren, Kathryn and Sadler Morrison, Mitchell, Ashley and Michael Greene. Mr. Higgins graduated from Van Buren High School and earned his L.L.B. degree from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 1948. He was president of the Baptist Student Union. He was a compassionate person who believed in helping others and advocated equal rights for all going back to his days at the University of Arkansas. He enjoyed the practice of law. He was employed by the Corps of Engineers in Murfreesboro and Hot Springs, Amerada Petroleum Company, Tulsa, Okla., British American Oil Producing Company, Dallas, Texas, and Murphy Oil Corporation, Denver, Colo. He was transferred to El Dorado in August 1960. He was admitted to practice in the United States District Court of Arkansas, Western District, Hot Springs Division, before the Supreme Court of Arkansas, and the Supreme Court of the United States. He was a member of the Arkansas and Union County Bar Associations. He was a member of First Baptist Church, El Dorado, and served as a deacon, a Sunday school teacher, and on many committees. He was a 32 degree Mason, a life member of the El Dorado Masonic Lodge No. 13, El Dorado Chapter No. 114 Royal Arch Masons, Gethsemane Commandery No. 31, K. T., Zedekiah Council, No. 52. He was a life member of Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Valley of Little Rock, Orient of Arkansas. He was active in his community. In 2000, he received the "Five Who Care" Award from the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce. He was a member and past president of the Kiwanis Club with 35 years of perfect attendance, president of the South Arkansas Historical Foundation, a certified counselor for Score Chapter 616, a board member and volunteer with the South Arkansas Arboretum for over 20 years, a member of the Great Books Discussion Group, and an avid jogger and walker. Visitation will be Monday, Nov. 15 from 5-7 p.m. at Young's Funeral Home. The funeral service will be Tuesday, Nov. 16 at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church, El Dorado, Dr. Lynn Worthen and Rev. Ben Early officiating. Burial will follow in Arlington Memorial Park under the direction of Young's Funeral Directors. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, El Dorado, Ark.; Life Touch Hospice, El Dorado, Ark.; or Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Arkansas, Little Rock, Ark. Mr. Higgins' guestbook may be signed at www.youngsfuneralhome.com.

Published November 14, 2010

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