Nora "Granny" Higgins

Nora "Granny" Higgins of Big Lake passed away on Monday March 27, 2023

Graveside services will be held at 1:00 pm Friday March 31, 2023 at Glen Rest Cemetery in Big Lake with Pastor Jacob Ferguson of the Cowboy for Christ Fellowship Church, officiating.

Nora was born on May 23, 1937, in Jayton, to James T. Griffin and Ollie B. Higginbotham, where she was the youngest of nine children. Growing up, she lived in the Artesia and Carlsbad, New Mexico area. She met and married the true love of her life, Jack Baker on August 30, 1958 and during their short time together they raised five children. She lost Jack in 1968.

Nora was a very independent woman, a trait she passed on to her children. She worked various jobs to support her family, all the while working to get her GED. She then proceeded to take college classes to become an accountant, which she did for several years.

Nora married Charles Higgins in 1974, who then moved the family to Big Lake in 1975. After their divorce, she returned to the workforce where she worked in various offices and even as a store clerk to support her family. After retirement, Nora decided to become a Foster Grandparent thru the Concho Valley Council of Government. As a Foster Grandparent, she worked with children through the Head Start Program, the Reagan County Library and eventually began working at the Reagan County Elementary School, where she became "Granny" to hundreds of children through the years. After 21 years as a Foster Grandparent, she finally retired completely at the end of the 2022 School year. After the many years in the school system, High School age children would still greet her as Granny and give her a big hug. She fondly remembered each of her "Honorary" grandchildren.
Nora's favorite pastime was being with her family, she also loved reading, sewing, doing word searches, and baking her Banana Nut Bread to share with family, friends, and neighbors.

She was preceded in death by husband, Jack Baker, son, James Johnson, her parents, James T. Griffin and Ollie B. Higginbotham. Siblings: Ruby Anderson, Rose June Griffin, James Griffin Jr., Pauline Lyda, Billy Griffin, Birdie Elliot, Charles Griffin and Mary Frances Griffin.

Nora is survived by her four daughters, Gloria Oyler and husband Roger of Gilbert AZ, Sherry Dunlap of Brownwood, Kathy Dittman and husband Charles of Big Lake, Gayla Davis and husband Robert of Big Lake; Stepson, Sam Higgins of Houston; 10 Grandchildren, Danielle Hanson and husband Erik, Darren Oyler, Dawn Tran and husband Loc, Dana Magee and husband Gabriel, Jonathan Dunlap and wife Brittney, Shawn Dunlap and wife Sarah, Megan Barrington and husband Matthew. Robie Subia and wife Alisha, Erica Subia, Steven Dittman and wife Sondra; 16 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great granddaughter.

Honorary Pallbearers will be her Grandsons.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donation to be made to the Reagan County Care Center or Hospice of San Angelo (HOSA). We would like to thank both organizations for the care and attentiveness they showed in the short time Mother was in their care.