Nelson Allen Higgins

Nelson Allen Higgins, 63, of Asheville, NC went to be with the Lord on May 5, 2016. Nelson is survived by his lovely wife of 38 years, Ruth Hall Higgins; only son, Robert Edwin Allen Higgins (High Point, NC); daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Ann Higgins; and 2 grandsons, Declan Sean & Eli Tanner Higgins. Nelson is also survived by his 3 sisters, Claryce Sinclair (Joe), Statesville, NC; Cynthia Sevier (Ken), Germanton, NC; Joan Muse (Chuck), Asheville, NC; father-in-law, Stanley R. Hall, Hudson, NC; and 6 nieces and nephews, and many great nieces, great nephews, and cousins. Nelson was preceded in death by his father, Clarence Edward Higgins; mother, Pauline Alexander Higgins; brother, Russell Edwin Higgins; son, Matthew Issac Higgins; and mother-in-law, Geneva Coffey Hall. Nelson lived in Asheville his entire life. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1976. Nelson had 26 years of public service between the US Army and a long career with the US Postal Service, where he honorably served as Postmaster for the Leicester, NC office for over a decade. In 1995, Nelson and Ruth fulfilled a dream by opening Medicap Pharmacy (now HealthRidge Pharmacy) which still proudly serves the Black Mountain-Swannanoa community. Nelson was a life-long devoted Christian, and for the past 28 years he served his Heavenly Father and Lord through the First Baptist Church of Asheville as a deacon and church leader. Prior to FBCA, he served many years in the same capacity at First Baptist Church of Black Mountain, and grew up in the Reed Memorial Baptist Church of Oakley. Nelson loved his church community and wanted everyone he met to know how much God meant to him. Nelson received his second-life through a liver transplant on May 3, 2005 at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL. He was a passionate supporter of organ donation and paying forward the gift of life to others. Nelson was a recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, Honorary Alumnus Certificate of UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, and recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by Black Mountain-Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce. Nelson was an avid Tar Heel; proud husband, brother, father, son, and grandfather. Funeral services will be held at 11 AM Saturday, May 7, 2016 at First Baptist Church of Asheville with Rev. David Blackmon and Rev. Eddie Morgan officiating. A private burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12 till 1:30 PM following the service on Saturday at the church. Pallbearers will be: Stephen Sinclair, Steve Shreffler, John Sevier, Charlie Sevier, Russell Buchanan, Kees Auer, and Shamar Allen. Honorary Pallbearers will be the Active and Past Deacons of First Baptist Church of Asheville. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to First Baptist Church of Asheville (Local Missions TBD), 5 Oak Street, Asheville, NC 28801.