Carroll Gordon Higgins

April 24, 1938 - May 23, 2018

Carroll Gordon Higgins, age 80, of Telford, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 23, 2018 at Four Oaks Health Care, with family by his side. A native of Erwin, Carroll is a son of the late Charlie B. and Edith (Mattingly) Higgins. He was a proud veteran of the United States Navy and was a conductor for CSX Railroad until his retirement. He was a member of Mount O'Dell Free Will Baptist Church and was a man who loved God, his country and his family. Carroll was an avid fisherman who loved his pets, singing in church and spending time with his family. His great-grandson, Mason, was his pride and joy. In addition to his parents, Carroll is preceded in death by three brothers: Charlie H. Higgins, Jimmy D. Higgins and Roger D. Higgins, as well as one infant daughter: Jackie Carroll Higgins. Carroll Gordon Higgins has left behind to cherish his memory: Son: Dallas G. Higgins, of Kingsport; Daughter: Debra Jean Carver and husband, John, of Telford; Sisters: Lucille Price Tipton, of Erwin, Ada Sanders, of Erwin, Judy Ann Sparks, of Erwin, Sandra Starnes, of Telford, Linda Waddle and husband Bob, of Jonesborough; Brother: Richard K. Higgins and wife, Rebecca, of Texas; Grandchildren: Jessica Higgins, of Johnson City, Justin Higgins, of Erwin, Jordan Higgins, of Erwin, Megan Shelton, of Jonesborough, Melissa Shelton, of Telford, Aaliyah Shelton, of Elizabethton, Chrystal Carver, of Morristown, Avery Carver, of Erwin; Great-grandchildren: Mason Shelton, of Jonesborough, Neveah Higgins, of Erwin, Steven Higgins, of Erwin, Brianna Rice and husband, Ellis, of Jacksonville, NC, Ethan Kent, of Johnson City, Landon Bennett, of Erwin; Great-great-grandchild: Paisley Rice, of Jacksonville, NC. The family would like to offer special thanks to the nurses and staff of Four Oaks Health Care for the love and care during this difficult time. The family respectfully requests the honor of your presence as we offer tribute and remember the life of Carroll Gordon Higgins in a Graveside Service to begin at 2:00 PM on Saturday, May 26, 2018 in Fishery Community Church Cemetery. Reverend Aaron Waddle and Reverend David Green will officiate. A visitation period to share memories and offer support to the family will begin at 5:00 PM and will continue until 8:00 PM on Friday, May 25, 2018 in the chapel at Valley Funeral Home. Friends may also visit anytime at the home of Debra Carver, 559 Telford-New Victory Road, Telford, TN 37690. Those serving as active pallbearers will be Tony D. Higgins, Christopher Sanders, Mitchell Price, Aaron Paul McKinney, Matt Beloat, Matthew Sanders and Zachary Bynum. Honorary pallbearers will be James Sparks, J Willis, Glenn Higgins, Robert Waddle and Mason Shelton. Those attending the graveside service on Saturday will meet at Valley Funeral Home by 1:15 PM to go in procession. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family and viewed at www.valleyfuneralhome.net or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ValleyFuneralHomeErwin. These arrangements are made especially for the family and friends of Carroll Gordon Higgins through Valley Funeral Home, 1085 N. Main Ave., Erwin, 423-743-9187.