Seldon Douglas Higgins

Longtime resident of Rockville, Maryland, Seldon Douglas Higgins “Shake/Sonny”, 100, passed away on June 22, 2026 at Montcare Potomac. Seldon was born on January 5, 1926, in Columbus, Ohio. He was raised from childhood in Ashland, Kentucky. He was the son of the late Seldon H. Higgins and Henrietta Jamison.

He graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Ashland, Kentucky in 1944, and continued his education at Central State University, Wilberforce, Ohio. It was at Central State University where he met, who would become the love of his life, his partner, confidant and wife and some might even say “his partner in crime” Mary Estelle Thomas (Sweets), whom he married on February 5, 1949. Their union welcomed three children: Tyrone Douglas, Constance Charmain, and Karen Rochelle.

Some people are trailblazers and some are trail blazers. Seldon blazed his way through life way ahead of his time. He was not afraid to be first at anything he attempted. Seldon, known as (Shake) and Sonny in his hometown of Ashland, Kentucky, has received numerous awards and accolades from the State of Kentucky and Booker T. Washington High School Athletics.

Shake was the first basketball player in the state of Kentucky, (black or white) to qualify for All-State status three consecutive years in a row. A record that has never been broken to this day. At the time, it was against the law in Kentucky for a black school and a white school to compete against one another. A fierce competitor on the courts, Shake did not let this deter his determination to be the best player. A few accolades he received while in high school and some were awarded years later are:

Booker T. Washington High School Athletics Awards the State of Kentucky Athletic Award

1958 - BTW Athletes Hall of Fame (1) inducted with 9 other former athletes. Honored May 2003

1947 - Drafted to Harlem Globetrotters

1944 - Kentucky All State 1Team Guard. BTW Team Captain st

1943 - All East Regional - 1Team Forward; Kentucky All State - st 1Team Forward; BTW - state runner up st

1942 - All East Regional - 1 Team Forward; Kentucky All State - 1 Team Forward Kentucky All State East Team - Captain East Team. East vs West game played in Madisonville, Ky.

In 1981, after 32 years of service, he retired from the US Federal Government (Dept of Transportation Office of The Secretary as a Program Analyst). Monitored the Federal Grant Program of Federal Highway Administration, Federal Railroad Administration and Federal Aviation Administration, traveled to state and local governments to see if they were following Federal guidelines. Seldon served in various federal positions such as Personnel Officer for FHA/HUD, Veteran Insurance Claim Processer for the Veterans Administration, Communication Analyst for the National Security Agency and a Clerk/Carrier for the United States Postal Service.

He was on the Board of Directors for the Fund of the Education and Human Services. Past President for the Jerusalem-Mt Pleasant United Methodist Church Usher Board. Other affiliates include Vice President of the West Montgomery Civic Association in Rockville, Maryland, Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels and Central State Alumni Association.

Seldon was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Mary Thomas Higgins, son Tyrone Douglas and Karen Rochelle. He leaves to cherish his memory, daughter Constance (Connie) Newsome; grandsons, Douglas Higgins Newsome and Bobby Dean (BJ) Newsome, Jr.; grand-daughter-in law, Cesarina Sanchez. Great grandchildren: Douglas and Yasmine Newsome, Kevin and Isaac Sanchez. One sister Ricki Sudderth; Godchildren, Beverly Burton, Lyndia-Anne Cash and William Swope, Jr. and Norman Ward, Jr. Devoted and special niece Judy Mauldin. Beloved cousin DeeDee Bridgewater. Over 70 plus years of devotion and friendship was shared by dear friends Ramona Davis and Sherry Roberts. Card playing compadres: Howard Copeland, Abdul Haag and Larry Spencer. Four sisters-in-law and a host of relatives and friends.

Family and friends are invited to gather at Gary L. Kaufman Funeral Home at Meadowridge Memorial Park, Inc. 7250 Washington Blvd, Elkridge, MD 21075 (Exit 6 South off Route 100) on Saturday, June 27, 2026 from 11:30am to 1pm at which time a Celebration of Life Service will begin. Interment Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Central State University, Wilberforce, Ohio.