On the evening of our Lord’s Day dated May 17, 2020, Kate “Miss Kate”Higgins, left this world to be welcomed into the arms of her Savior. Kate obtained the age of 102 years and 11 months, just two weeks shy of her 103rd birthday.
Kate Peace Johnson was born on June 5, 1917 near “Old Moulton” to Sam and Nancy Steubing Johnson at the family homestead. She grew up in a robust family of 11 children, namely Hazeal, Mary, Buck, Dick, Jack, Ruth, Robert, Kate, Nancy, James and Golda Thae. Sadly, her brother Robert passed at the age of 20.
Kate attended seven years of school accumulatively at Cedar Springs and Moulton. It was common in those days for children to attend school and then work with their family in completing the multiple chores found on the farm. Few graduated from high school at that time.
On March 30, 1937, Kate married Victor Henry Fisbeck from the Peach Creek area. They were blessed with one son, Victor “David” Fisbeck. When David was about a year old, Victor was bitten and permanently paralyzed by an infected tick while rabbit hunting. To survive, the young couple opened “Fisbeck Grocery” in Old Moulton across from the Old Moulton Baptist Church. They later moved their small business and home into “New” Moulton at what is now the intersection of Moore and Lancaster Streets.
On January 7, 1954, Victor succumbed to complications from his paralysis. Kate and David continued with the family business. “Miss Kate”, as she became known, spent approximately 35 years running the store until David took over in 1975. In her “retirement”, Kate went on to work in Hallettsville at several retail outlets.
Kate married Milton L. Higgins, a dairy farmer, on June 21, 1967, two days after her youngest granddaughter, Nina Marie, was born. She used to tell that the first place they went on their honeymoon was to see her new granddaughter. The new couple settled in the Witting area.
Kate was a hard worker, more out of necessity to survive, and then it was just habit. She was happiest when she had a hoe in her hand pulling out weeds, obviously a throw back to her youth and weed chopping duties in the cotton field or the family garden. In her retirement, she loved growing any and all kinds of flowers and had the green thumb to do so.
Kate also loved to travel, oftentimes with her favorite partner and sister-in-law, Ellen Hull. She visited every state in the Union including Hawaii and Alaska, plus Africa, Spain and Mexico.
After Milton’s sudden passing in 2013, although Kate remained in her home, her health began to deteriorate slowly. Two weeks before her 98th birthday, she entered Shady Oaks Nursing Center where she remained the rest of her days. During her 5 years there, she was known to keep the staff on their toes with several break out attempts and a few successes!
Kate is survived by her daughter-in-law Alice Fisbeck, her granddaughters Mava Sue (Marcus) Jalufka and Nina Marie Blaschke and grandson, Gerald Glen (Joan) Fisbeck, her great-grandchildren Stayton and Cameron (Ashleigh) Jalufka, Mitchell and Erin Blaschke and David and Julianne Fisbeck. She is also survived by one sister, Golda Thae Martin. Among other survivors are her step-daughters Sandra Nolen and Carla Thomas, her caring step-grandchildren and an abundant number of nieces, nephews and other relatives too numerous to mention.
In her lifetime, Kate was a member of the VFW Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary, Eastern Star, Hermann Sons and SPJST. She was a member of the Witting Lutheran Church and was also known to attend Zion Lutheran Church and The Eagle’s Nest in Moulton and The Old Moulton Baptist Church.
Those attending as pallbearers are great-grandsons Stayton Jalufka, Cameron Jalufka, Mitchell Blaschke, step-grandson Gary Nelson, nephews Steve Alblinger and Rodger Johnson. Honorary pallbearers are great-grandchildren Erin Blaschke and David and Julianne Fisbeck.
Private graveside services were held at the Moulton City Cemetery with Rocky Poole, family friend, performing as officiant.
Words of comfort can be posted and shared with the family at www.smithfuneralhomemoulton.com
Smith Funeral Home - 404 West Bobkat Dr. Moulton, Texas 78941 Phone # 361-596-4631
In lieu of usual remembrances, contributions may be made to:
Old Moulton Baptist Church
PO Box 578
Moulton, Tx 77975
