Bernice Miller Higgins

Bernice Miller Higgins, also known by all as Mimi, died October 16, 2012. She was born January 26, 1923 in Robstown, Texas to Herman Adam Miller and Estelle Berry Miller. She was preceded in death by her dad, Herman, her mother, Estelle, and her sister Hermione. She is survived by her husband Albert Byron Higgins of sixty five years, also called Hig, her daughter Renai Fletcher and husband Les Fletcher, grandson Jon Fletcher, son Randy Higgins and his daughter Meagan Higgins and son Joey Higgins of Oklahoma City, and a sister Maxine Haas of Boerne, Texas and nephews Mike Haas of Boerne and Richard Haas of Las Cruces. She is also survived by her niece Ann Kimes of Barrington Illinois, Ronald Gurtler of Florida, and Jeffrey Gurtler of Richmond, Virginia. Also her, sister-in-law Ann Higgins of El Paso, niece Laurie Gates and husband Richard Gates of Catarina, Texas, great nephews Barry Gates, Carroll Gates, and nephew Tommy Higgins. Mimi was born in Robstown, Texas where her parents owned several farms and shortly afterwards moved to Boerne, Texas where she and two sisters, Maxine and Hermione, grew up. They all attended college in Denton, Texas at Texas State College for Women. Mimi graduated with a degree in government and later a degree in education. She taught school in Las Cruces at Lucero, Washington, Mesilla Park and White Sands. She met her husband, Albert Higgins, at a Texas A&M and Texas University game in Dallas, Texas. They married in San Antonio, Texas and moved to Las Cruces in 1947. They had two children, Renai and Randy Higgins. Mimi loved to play bridge and played in a group until 2010. She was constantly talking about playing and wanting to get back with her friends. Her greatest joy and pride in life were her children and grandchildren. She gave totally of herself to her family and never tired of spending hours on the phone listening to her children and grandchildren and giving her total support. We are thankful for her tenacity and her unending love and support to each and every one of us. She made sure each got new ornaments at Christmas so as they grew up they would have their own memories of Christmas. She was a fabulous housewife and loved keeping her house and her yard impeccable. Mimi wanted to make sure her children and grandchildren saw the world. She made sure her grandchildren, Meagan and Jon, had as many experiences as possible by enabling each to go to New York with their classes, and taking them to Europe to see and experience the world. They have great memories of being with her all of their lives and her never ending goal to make sure they saw different cultures. They both were involved in the arts and Meagan reflects that she has such great memories of Mimi making sure she had the best seats at the concerts to get the best pictures at all of her performances from early on through college. Meagan said Mimi had a great influence in molding her into the cultured woman she still strives to be. They had many trips to the beach, yearly trips to Pagosa Springs, Colorado, and Europe. She never forgot a holiday and loved being with family for all occasions and was constantly making sure everyone had everything they needed. Mimi wanted the best for her family! We will all miss her lovely smile and her unending devotion and meaningful time she gave us all. Funeral Services will be at Fort Bliss National Cemetery in El Paso, Texas on Thursday October 25, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. reception will follow at the family farm in Las Cruces. PDF Printable Version