John Higgins

John Higgins, 72, of Morganton, NC died Thursday, December 8, 2011. Born in Yancey County, NC on June 28, 1939, he was the son of the late John Higgins and Ruth Gouge Bell. John loved to fish and work on his farm.He is survived by his daughters, Joy Houston and husband, Phil, of Conover, NC, Jackie Bivens and husband, Myron, of Lincolnton, NC, and Jerri Wiehler and husband, Jeff, of Hickory, NC; grandchildren, Amanda Epley and husband, Nick, Rebecca Mitchell, Kelly Lingafelt and husband, Bennett, and Robert Rhodes; twelve great-grandchildren; a brother, Bill Higgins and wife, Brenda, of California; a sister, Shirley Burns and husband, Sam, of Wisconsin; and his best friend, John Hatfield of Morganton.In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his grandson, Travis Conley; and a sister, Betty Strickland.The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, December 11, 2011 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Rev. Sid Houk officiating. Burial will follow in Bethel United Methodist Church Cemetery on Dysartsville Road. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care, Lincoln County, 107 N. Cedar Street, Lincolnton, NC 28092 or to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690.