Andrew Gilley Higgins, known as Andy to his family and friends, was born in Nashville, TN March 31, 1947. He was the son of Ruby Evelyn Ogle Higgins and Tolbert Gilley Higgins. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Linda Carol Hildreth Higgins, children: Jennifer Ansley Black (Lee), Scott
Andrew Higgins (Karen) and Julie Higgins Keller (Shae), brother: Dennis
Wayne Higgins, and four wonderful grandsons: Andrew Kirk Black, William Patrick Black, Clayton Matthew Keller, Aiden Scott Higgins and new grandson arriving in March to Julie and Shae, and his faithful Golden Retriever, Riley.
In 1965, Andy was a member of the first graduating class of Stratford High
School, and earned his BS in Economics from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 1970. While there he formed a brotherhood of lifelong friendships as a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. His time at UT was briefly interrupted while he served in the US Army Reserves. He completed his formal education in 1973 with a MBA from Georgia State University.
Andy had an extensive career in finance, which began in Atlanta, GA in 1970 where he was employed by First National Bank of Atlanta and was a member of the American Institute of Banking. While in Atlanta, he held various leadership and management positions which ultimately led him to First American National Bank in Nashville. He began his tenure there as Senior Vice President Real Estate Banking and was later promoted to Executive Vice President Commercial Banking.
In 1986 he was named President and Chief Executive Officer of the Holding Company of First American National Bank and held that position until 1990 when he left and established his own financial management and consulting companies. He consulted with various federal agencies, financial institutions, real estate owners and developers, as well as media, distribution and manufacturing companies regarding financial and organizational restructuring, and served as a State Court Appointed Receiver.
Andy was a licensed Real Estate Broker and a member of the National Association of Realtors, American Arbitration Association, Association of Reserve City Bankers, and a board member of Reliant Bank. A member of Brentwood United Methodist Church, Andy was active in many civic and charitable organizations including the University of Tennessee Development Council, Boy Scouts of America, the YMCA, the National Kidney Foundation and Leadership Nashville. In 1982 Andy was named
“One of Top 20 Nashville Business People Under the Age of 40,” and in 1986 he was acknowledged in the 44th Edition of Who’s Who in America.
Andy was loved and respected by his family and friends. He was diligent, brilliant, kind, loving, hard working and a role model not only to his children, but also to anyone who was fortunate enough to know him. He saw the good in people and spread joy with his wit, ability to tell stories, and infectious laugh and warm smile. He was a financier, entrepreneur, investor, and friend to all of his business partners. He loved to travel with family and friends. However, one of the greatest joys in his life was being on “Beautiful Centerhill Lake” with his family and friends.
A private family service will be held Thursday, November 5, 2020 at Brentwood United Methodist Church at 1:00 PM.
We will celebrate his life with all of those close to him once we can safely do so.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to ALS Association in honor of Andy’s good friend Bayard C. Erskine. http://web.alsa.org/site/TR/PersonalFund/Tennessee?px=3241081&pg=personal&fr_id=10064#.X5RHKiQ1glR
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18