Patricia Irene Smith Higgs

Born on the 19th of February, 1936, at home, near Humansville, MO. Passed away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday the 9th of January, 2025, at her home in Wichita, KS.

Preceded in Death by her parents Gilbert Judson Smith and Minnie Pearl Morse Smith

Husband: Carroll “Smoke” Duane Higgs

Siblings: Marjorie Lothea Smith Smith, Wallace Arthur Smith, Victor Allen Smith, Merle Gilbert Smith, Clyde Byron Smith. Lewis Monroe Thomas, Gertie Matilda Thomas Burchett, Avis Elvina Thomas Linderer.

Marine Corps Sister: Frances Gloria Ricker Meyer

Grandson: Nathaniel A.K. Watkins

Survived by Children: Willa Frances, Carolyn Irene Higgs Hutcheson (Brad), Karen Anne Higgs

Stepson: Corkey Rodgers (Judy)

Niece: Kimberly Ann Boyle

Grandchildren: Nicole Reneé Runberg Lumley (Jimmy), Justin Kyle Runberg (Chelsie), Aaron Bradley Hutcheson, Paris Elizabeth Mairs Gosch (Dalton), Matthew D. K. Watkins (Estrella), KeiraShai Watkins, Michael Rodgers (Lauryn), Adam Rodgers(Amanda), Sharon Carol Rodgers.

Great- Grandchildren: Anna, Sabyn, Brazen, Aryana, Orin, Holden, J.C., Josie, Jessie

Patricia lived a long life full of many accomplishments. She graduated from high school in Deepwater, Missouri at 16 as the Salutatorian and moved to Wichita after. While in Wichita she invited her niece Carol to town to meet a friend of hers. The two fell in love and lived long happy lives together.

She joined the Marine Corps on her 18th birthday, where she met her best friend who would become family. After leaving the Marines she worked as a Civil Servant for the Air Force in New York.

She returned to Wichita with her daughter and attended Fairmont University (now WSU) for English and German and later in life attended Friends University where she got her bachelor’s degree in computer science.

In Wichita she met Carroll “Smoke” Higgs, they got married and went on to have two more daughters, as well as gaining a stepson.

She also worked for 7 years at St. Francis, and 27 years at St. Joseph, retiring in 2001. After retiring from the hospital, she went on to work part time in an outpatient surgery center for a few more years.

In the marines she was awarded a National Defense Service Ribbon. She was also a member of the Women Marine’s Association and Professional Secretaries International.

A lover of all things science fiction (especially Star Trek), science, literature, history and trivia. In her younger years she enjoyed building AM radios, reading, and fishing. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren playing games, reading to them and taking them to piano lessons. She didn’t judge and was sarcastic to a fault.

She will be buried at Fort Scott National Cemetery with her husband. She was loved by many and will be greatly missed.

Private family memorial.