Mary Ardith Higgins

Mary Ardith Higgins passed away on Thursday, May 19, 2022 at Columbia Post Acute Care Center, where she had been a patient for several weeks.  She was in the presence of her loving family and hospice-care team members at the time of her passing.

Ardith was born August 22, 1935 in Madison, Missouri to parents Oscar Ladd and Minnie Oka Faye Heathman Farrell.  The daughter of farmers, she grew up on the family homestead, graduating from Madison High School in 1953 and from Moberly Junior College in 1955.  After working for several years with the Social Security Administration, she married William J. Higgins (Bill) on September 25, 1959 and became a full-time wife and mother.  Through the years, she devoted herself to many clubs and organizations, including community bridge clubs, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, various programs for the Moberly Public Schools, and the Methodist Church.  In her later years, she enjoyed spending time with her granddaughters and attending their Future Farmers of America events in Madison.

She was an avid bowler, remaining active in team-sport bowling until her recent illness.  A member of both “Magic City Gals” and “All Access” teams at Moberly Lanes, she loved throwing the ball and spending time with teammates.  She rarely missed a game and traveled regularly to regional tournaments.  Though a fan of all sports, she was a special devotee of the St. Louis Cardinals, watching and cheering every game.  (Any criticism of her beloved baseball team was met promptly with a stern defense.)

Her other great joy was the Methodist church, of which she was a lifelong member.  She especially cherished participating in various bible studies at Trinity United Methodist, attending her senior group Sunday School class, and serving with United Methodist Women.  Unfailingly kind and caring, she was a welcoming presence everywhere she worshiped and served.

Ardith is preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Minnie Oka Farrell, and her husband Bill Higgins.  She is survived by daughter Susan Diane Williams and son-in-law Daniel Williams, son William Ladd Higgins, daughter Beth Ann Clampitt and partner Michael Hendren, granddaughters Megan Brooke Clampitt and Molly Alyse Clampitt, great-granddaughters Ariella Grace Clampitt and Fallon Kay Clampitt, sister-in-law Donna Higgins, nephews Scott Higgins and John Higgins, many close cousins, great-grand nieces and nephews, and friends from her bowling alley and church.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Pathway-Millard Family Funeral Chapel in Moberly.  Visitation will take place from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Trinity United Methodist Church of Moberly at trinitymoberly.org.

Arrangements are under the direction of Pathway-Millard Family Funeral Chapel, 411 Union Avenue, Moberly, Missouri 65270 (660) 263-7284. Condolences may be shared online for the family at www.pathwaymemorial.com.