Bliss Maye Higgins

Bliss Maye Higgins died peacefully at home in Baton Rouge on November 12, 2025. Born in New Orleans February 25, 1958, to Virginia Faye Petty Higgins and George Joseph Higgins Sr, she was one of 8 children. Bliss is survived by Wright Wade Adams III, her beloved husband of 31 years; her children: Chris Adams, Sage Accardo and husband Darren Accardo, Danica Adams, Rye Cooper, Graham Cooper, and Rachel Adams and husband Jaik Faulk; grandchildren: Azalea Accardo, Lyra Accardo, Delilah Cooper, Frederick Cooper, Vella Accardo, Solan Accardo, Luna Cooper, and Anna Adams; siblings: Colleen Higgins Elam and husband Joseph Barton Elam, George Jay Higgins and wife Felicia Horne Higgins, Bonnie Higgins, Clay Higgins and wife Becca Wynn Higgins, and Tammie Higgins Newman and husband Troy Newman; and many more who loved her. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sisters, Cindy Higgins Broom and Laurie Higgins.

In 1994 she married Wright Wade Adams III, at the Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge, where they made friends and memories. Wade was a devoted partner, who lovingly cared for her throughout their marriage and was her primary care giver during her ordeal with ALS. Arms wide, doors open, and loved ones secure and safe, they lived in a home filled with love and light and many family events. One of her many joys in life was to gather loved ones to participate with her in races near and far. Bliss ran half marathons in 32 States (with a time of about 2hr 15min). Bliss was proud of her family, her work, her running and her life accomplishments.

During her childhood the Higgins family relocated from New Orleans to the Covington area, where Bliss graduated Co-Valedictorian from St. Scholastica Academy in 1976. She moved to Baton Rouge and attended LSU, graduating with a BS in Geology. After years at home, mothering her young children, she built a career in environmental regulation and consulting. Bliss was a trailblazer: in 1990 she started as an entry-level Environmental Scientist at Louisiana DEQ, and in 1991 Gov. Buddy Roemer issued a Governor's award to Bliss for her work in creating Louisiana's air toxic program, the first such statewide program in the nation. She was twice appointed as Assistant Secretary of the Office of Environmental Services at DEQ: First in 2000 by Gov. Mike Foster and again in 2022 by Gov. John Bel Edwards. From 2002 to 2022, Bliss built a strong and respected environmental consulting career with Ramboll International (previously Environ Int). She retired from Ramboll in July of 2025.

Bliss was diagnosed with ALS in October 2023 and was swept away from us in two short years. Bliss was a daughter, a sister, a mother, a wife, a stepmother, a grandmother, an aunt, a friend, a trusted consultant, a leader, a role model, and so much more. She loved immensely and unconditionally. She joyfully celebrated achievements big and small. She worked hard, ran races, read books, assembled puzzles, and drew trees. Bliss lived and died with dignity. She loved music, playing family DJ with music from her phone and tapping her feet along with it, even in her last days. Her overflowing joy and gratitude through her final days were a gift to those who loved her.

A Celebration of Life will be held at The Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge on Friday, January 9th at 10am at 8470 Goodwood Blvd.