Russell Higgins Sr.

Russell Higgins Sr., 97, a resident of Elkins, departed this life Tuesday morning, Feb. 14, 2012, at his home. He had been in declining health. He was born Saturday, Sept. 12, 1914 at Mill Creek, a son of the late Grover and Bell Killingsworth Higgins. On June 29, 1939, at Beverly, he was married to the former Cecelia Edna Hoover, who preceded him in death Aug. 2, 2005. Surviving are four sons, Russell Higgins Jr., and wife Carolyn, of Gilman, Brooks Higgins, David Higgins and Preston "Patch" Higgins, all of Elkins; one daughter, Mary Davis Higgins, of Elkins; twelve grandchildren, Tammy Harsh, Sandra Tighe, Rebecca Harman, Matthew Higgins, Carra Higgins, Troy Higgins, Victoria Atwell, R.W. Davis, Emily Shobe, Macy Arbogast, Tim Arbogast and Cindy Hudock; eleven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family. Preceding him in death are one son, Nathan Higgins; one adopted daughter, Pam Arbogast; five brothers, Ernest, Roy, Warren, Clettus and Ott Higgins; and two sisters, Mellissa Bender and Gertrude Defibaugh. He attended the Dry Run One Room School. He began work in the timber industry, and then started a career as a coal miner in the late 1930s. He first worked for the Walker Coal Company at Flint and Bemis, later at the Hickory Lick Coal Mine for Bethlehem Steel at Point Mountain, and retired from the Valley Camp Coal Company at Wheeling. He was also a more than 30 year member of the United Mine Workers Association. In his spare time he enjoyed fixing old cars, carpentry work and farming. He would often tell tall tales, riddles and rhymes; and was an avid coon hunter. He loved to play old-time mountain music on his banjo, fiddle and guitar. As part of his love for mountain music, he called figures for square dancing and tap danced. He was known for his unique style of mountain dancing and liked to share his experiences and knowledge of the art with younger generations, including students at Augusta. The family will receive friends at the Lohr & Barb Funeral Home of Elkins from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday. Final rites will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, in the funeral chapel. The Rev. Eli Hostetler will officiate and interment will follow at the Elkins Memorial Gardens on the Airport Road, Elkins. Click Here to View a Video Tribute