Wilma Lucille Higgins, 93, departed this life March 5, 2021, at Sundale Rehabilition and Long-Term Care, Morgantown. She was born March 29, 1927, at Jakes Run, a daughter of the late Arlie G. and Ethel Tennant Arnett. At an early age, she was nicknamed Willie; a name that she would be known as by friends and family for her entire life.
Willie was born in the era of country music and square dancing, which she enjoyed so much throughout her lifetime. As a teenager, she was a member of the local musical group, the Jakes Run Washboard Hillbillies, along with her sister, Sis, Carol Tennant and Katie Eddy. Because of her love of country music, she requested that her favorite song be played at her funeral: “Orange Blossom Special.”
She had a strong love of family, and much of her time was spent raising her daughters and, after retiring from the Houze Glass Co., caring for the elder members of her family. She was always ready with a helping hand if needed and never turned down a chance to play with her grandchildren, leaving each one of us with special memories. Our loss is Heaven’s gain.
In her lifetime she attended the Jakes Run Methodist Church and was the most recent vice president of the Tennant Chapel Cemetery Association.
Willie leaves to mourn her passing three daughters; Linda Higgins, of Carmichaels, Pa., Bonnie Wilson, of Jakes Run, and Nancy Higgins, of Parkersburg. Although, she did not give birth to him, the girls always teased her about her favorite child, son-in-law, Richard Wilson, whom she loved as a son.
She was Mamaw to grandchildren, John Christopher Higgins, Gregory (Carrie) Wilson, Casey VanScoy and Derek VanScoy. Her great-grandchildren are Jay (Marissa) Wilson, Cody Wilson and fiancée Madison Pride, Psyron Lemay, Jackson Lemay and Jaycee Higgins. Also surviving is the light of her final days, great-great-grandson, Marshall Wilson.
Also surviving are one brother, Keith (Donna) Arnett, of Fort Myers, Fla. and a sister-in-law, Mary (Jim) Atkinson of Kirby, Pa., and numerous nieces and nephews.
Including her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved grandson, Chad Allen Wilson; and brothers and sisters, Robert “Bob” Arnett, Kenneth “Jake” Arnett, Alberta “Sis” Sago, Judy Jolliff and Olive Ethel Arnett.
The family would like to thank Donna Tennant and the Sundale Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care staff for the excellent care and attention mom received during her time at Sundale.
Due to COVID, all services will be private with Pastor Rob Bennett officiating. Burial will follow in the Olive Cemetery at Pentress.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Butterfly Angels, P.O. Box 906, Waynesburg, PA 15370.
The Owen-Neely Funeral Home in Blacksville is in charge of arrangements.
