Patricia A. Smith Higgins, 71, a lifelong resident of Chattanooga, died on Sunday, December 23, 2012, while at her residence.
She was born April 18, 1941 to Minnie Lou Collier and James Smith. She confessed hope in Christ early in life and joined Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church.
Patricia was a 1959 graduate from Howard High School. She retired from Erlanger Hospital and later worked at McKee Foods and Chattanooga School Patrol. She was an Eastern Star (OES) and someone to care.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Minnie Lou Collier; father, James Smith; grandmother, Amy Collier; husband, Paul Higgins, Sr.; sister, Myra Terry; two brothers, Ira and Willie Terry.
Patricia is survived by her five children, Cassandra (Rickey) Berry, Dedrick (Kappie) Smith, Sr., Karen (Leslie) Blake, Paul Higgins, Jr. and LaTonya (Albert) Higgins; six sisters, Sandra Norwood, Marsha Jean Holloway, Frances Eversley, Shirley Jackson, Dorothy Smith and Lula Cooper; one brother, Ronnie (Linda) Terry; she also has three brothers-in-law, Willie Higgins, James Jackson, and Leroy Norwood; one sister-in-law, Beulah Higgins; 12 loving grandchildren, Terrance Derrick, Andre’ (Deona) Norris, Dejuane Norris, Dedrick (Tiffany) Smith, Jr., Darius (Keshia) Caldwell-Smtih, Lacorice Rice, Henry McElvain, II, LaJeanna McElvain, Oshusa Smith, Adarius Smith, Drakeya Smith and Leslie Blake; she had fourteen great-grandchildren; special friend, Alma Carter; a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 30, at Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery.
The body will lie in state after noon on Saturday, Dec. 29, and the family will receive friends from 6–8 p.m. at John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 622-9995.