Martha Davis Higgins

Martha Jean Davis Higgins, 82, of Boylston Highway, Mills River, passed away, Tuesday, March 7, 2017, at Mission Hospital after a short illness. Maw, as everyone called her, loved her family and loved life. Maw's and Paw's house was often filled with as many of their 56 family members as possible. A native of Canton, she was the daughter of the late William Thomas and Theo Dayton Davis and wife of the late Billy R. Higgins, Sr. (Paw), who passed away in 2014. Mrs. Higgins attended Mills River Baptist Church and was a retired employee of Phillips Consumer Electronics. Surviving are her daughters, Patricia Allen (Steve), Marcia Ball (Gary), Cynthia Takac (Jim), and Vanessa Sitton (Clay); son, Billy R. Higgins, Jr. (Lynn); 16 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; sister, Gail Wiggins (Gerald); two brothers, Gerald Davis and Bennie Davis (Sue); many nieces, nephews, cousins, and a special aunt, Lucille Rogers. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Saturday in the chapel of Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian conducted by the Rev. Thomas Glenn, Rev. Gary Ball, and Joel Ball. Interment will follow in Blue Ridge Gardens of Memory in Pisgah Forest. The family will receive friends from 9:30 am until 11:00 am Saturday at the funeral home.