Graveside memorial service for Philip M. Higgins, Jr. (76) of Gainesville, VA will be conducted Saturday April 9, 2016 at 10 am at Rose Hill Cemetery with Dr. Larry Claborn officiating. Mr. Higgins passed away on January 25, 2016 after a short battle with cancer. Son of the late Philip and Lucille Higgins of Fayetteville, TN, he moved to Virginia in 1978 to be the Executive Director of the Church of Christ Children’s Home, later Rainbow Christian Services, a program that provided residential, maternity and adoption services to many in this area. Phil was given a gift from God to listen, love, and guide children and he used it to the fullest extent. In addition to taking care of their physical needs, under his leadership, the children were given many and varied enrichment opportunities. One of the highlights was taking the children to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Phil’s second love was travel. After leaving Rainbow, he worked at Manassas Travel Agency which afforded him this opportunity. In recent years, Phil loved his work as a volunteer at MLK Elementary School in Dale City where he continued loving and helping children and faculty.
Phil is survived by his brother, Charles Higgins, two sisters Ann Claborn and Elizabeth Clark, numerous nieces and nephews, and his special friend, Suellen Phillips.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Smile Train, PO Box 96231, Washington, DC 20090.
I just learned of Phil’s death. I graduated from high school with Phil. He was such a fine person and a good friend to all. I am so sad to learn of his passing but know he is in a much better place. My sympathy to Charles, Ann and Elizabeth.
Sorry to return to town and find that my friends at Higgins had lost a loved one. My sympathy to the family and friends.
I am just so so sorry. I have known and loved the entire Higgins family all my life, and Phil was truly a special and dear friend. I can recall so many wonderful times in our lives and with so many beautiful memories of Phil. He was such a wonderful and loving friend, and I will miss him dearly. My love to Charles, Ann and Elizabeth and their families. I love you all and my dear friend, too. Barbara Raby Herring
Clay, Charles et.al,
You have my Sympathy and my request for God’s Blessings. Tippy
Charles, Ann, Elizabeth, I just learned of Phil’s death & my heart was truly saddened. Phil was a very special person & I know you are all going to miss him. As you know, the Higgins family holds a very special place in my heart, Don & I send our love & sympathy to each of you. I know Mr P. Higgins & Ms. Lucille gave Phil a big welcome home.
So sorry to hear of Phil’s death. He’s still the guy from Swanson Boulevard I grew up with! Condolences to you Charles, Ann and Elizabeth. He will be missed by many.
In 1964, Phillip Higgins opened the door that allowed us to become parents and adopt our daughters. Even in recent years when I would see him, he would ask about Renee and Bridget by name. He was a good person and he will be missed. We will keep the Higgins family in our prayers.
I know it has been difficult the last few months. So glad Phil could do what he loved most in his life. Remember sliding down the big slide at the Higgins’ house. Phil was always good to “us kids”.
To all the Family.So sorry for your loss .May God be with you all .Heaven gained an Angel .
Elizabeth and family,
Sorry to read of the passing of your brother. I do remember him.. I know you all will be lost without him. Blessed be!
Phillip, so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
To Charles, Elizabeth and Ann, Jo Ann and I are deeply saddened at hearing of the passing of Phil. Phil and I were very good friends during our early years as was the entire family. Will always remember the trip that Phil, Ronald Sowell and I made to the Indianapolis 500 event one year, sleeping in the back of the family station wagon. What a wonderful experience with two very special friends of mine (Gary). Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of the family during this difficult time and loss. Phil was special throughout his entire life to so many people. I am sure there will be a special place waiting for him!
Gary & Jo Ann Thompson
I am deeply sorry to hear about of Phil’s passing. I was not a close friend but saw him about In Fayetteville in the early 60’s. He was such an easy person to be around. He had a good heart that was apparent from our 1st introduction and subsequent gathering of mutual friends.
May the family find some comfort in the loss that he was so liked and respected by many including me.
I am saddened to learn of Phil’s passing. You all are in my thoughts and prayers. Phil was always so nice and friendly.
Elizabeth & family,
My condolences on your loss. May your memories and those of others keep your brother alive in your hearts.
Susie Shewry Kutchi
Charles, Elizabeth, Ann and family,
Such a sweet man and kind soul. Mr. Phil, or Mr. Pil as Anna Elise use to call him, always put others before himself and would do anything for a friend, or stranger. I am grateful for the time my family and I got to spend with Phil while we were in N. Va., he was a good friend and I will remember with fondness a baseball game at Camden Yards, dinners at Coastal Flats, or just hanging out at his place in Gainesville.
Our loss is the Kingdom’s gain. Phil was loved by many and will be missed, but I know Ms. Evelyn and a multitude of others will be in line to greet him in Glory.
Eric Fisk and family
Charles, Elizabeth, and Ann
Deepest sympathy to you all. Your brother sounds like he ws a wonderful man. May God grant you peace and comfort during this time.
We are sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Phillip and Diane Knowles
We are sorry to hear of the loss of your loved one. Our deepest sympathy is with your family at this trying time.
Someone so special can never be forgotten. I am so sorry. however, he is the winner of the short battle he fought with that dreadful disease.
I was deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Phil. In 1964, he took the time to clean up a mess of paperwork left behind by someone else and in the process found an application for adoption. He contacted this young couple to see if they were still interested in adopting a child. They were and for the help and assistance he offered them, I am here today. My parents appreciated Phil so much that they named me after him. I was very fortunate to finally meet Phil and express to him how grateful I was for all he did to help my parents. The service he offered to my parents I know was multiplied many. many times over. The Higgins family will forever hold a special place in my heart.
Mr. Charles and family, I am sorry to hear of the loss of your brother. Mr. Phil was a kind gentleman and always had a smile on this face. My prayers and thoughts are you with during this sad time. May all your wonderful memories help ease the pain your hearts feel.
You are in my thoughts and prayers. This is bittersweet. Hard to let him go but tough watching him suffer here.
Charles and family,
It saddens me to learn of your loss of your brother Philip. I remember his as a young girl.
May God wrap his arms around you, hold you close and ease the pain of your loss.
To the Family,
We fondly remember Phillip as a kind, compassionate and loving man. He lived his life in this manner, being a guardian for the children he so dearly loved and cared for.
Condolences to Ann, Charles, Elizabeth and family. The world is a better place for the life of Phil Higgins. Phil was one who gave of himself to benefit the youth of this world. A true gentleman who exhibited the grand characteristics of his father for whom he was named and the wonderful mother who shaped his being. Phil will be long remembered and loved by all who had occasion know him and to call him their friend.