Submit a PhotoShirley Doris Cox Higgins, age 88, passed away Tuesday, July 11, 2023 in Gilbert, AZ. In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service has not been planned. Expressions of sympathy may be directed to Shirley’s tribute page at gilbertmemorialpark.com.
Shirley was born in Crummies, Kentucky on July 7, 1935, the daughter of Edgar and Delia Cox. Shirley became Deaf at the age 2 after contracting meningitis. Shirley attended the Kentucky School for the Deaf in Danville, KY graduating in 1953. While in school, she excelled not only academically but also athletically earning All-Star status in basketball. In 1956, Shirley married Virgil Higgins whom she met through mutual friends in Detroit, Michigan. Shirley held various jobs including working at the US Postal Service. Shirley was very social within the Deaf Community and enjoyed attending Deaf venues such as the Detroit Association of the Deaf, and Senior Citizens locations in Michigan and Arizona where she also liked to play various card games. Shirley’s other interests included watching almost any sports event, but basketball was her favorite.
Shirley leaves three children: Timothy (Lois) Higgins, Matthew Higgins Sr., Lorene (Rod) Bailey; Six Grandchildren: April (Kris) Tapley, Rodney (Britany) Bailey, Stephen Bailey, Tad Bailey, Amber (Frank) Smith, Matthew Higgins Jr; fourteen great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; one sister, Ruth Stanley; and many nieces and nephews.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, husband Virgil, and five of her six siblings.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations can be made to the National Association of the Deaf in Shirley’s memory. https://www.nad.org/make-a-donation/
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She is very sweet lady, I’m happy to help her to give her ride to Red Mountain Deaf Senior Citizens. And paid visit her at small nursing home. I’m not expecting she have past away. She is with her husband that she always talk about him. Love her always and remember her forever