Magdalene "Mag" Highsmith

Mag, also known by many as Gigi. passed away peacefully with family by her side at Rex Hospital on January 21, 2024 at the golden age of 89. She was born in Raleigh on August 8.1934 to Louie and Mabel Parrish. Mag grew up in rural, Wake County working on her family’s farm, which was always a topic she loved to talk about.

After graduation from Garner High School, Mag was employed with State Capital Life Insurance Company and then continued working at Durham life for over 40 years. If you knew Mag, you know she loved to work and those around her loved working with her.

Mag met the love of her life, Tommy Highsmith through a mutual friend. Tommy actually spotted Mag while on another date, asking who was that cute girl! Excited to start their lives together, the two were married on June 2, 1956. They were married for over 67 years.

In 1961, Mag and Tommy happily welcomed the arrival of their only child, a daughter, Debbie.

Mag’s life was filled with love from her family and friends. She was a passionate seamstress, animal lover, and remained faithful to her love for Christ. She was also an avid Wolfpack fan and could always be found during football season sitting in Carter Finley Stadium wearing Wolfpack attire cheering on the Pack!

With a servant’s heart she shared her talents with her loved ones and those in need. Mag will always be remembered for her kindhearted nature and her love for children. Wherever she went, children gravitated towards her! She loved them and children loved her. Mag will also be remembered for always being willing to help anyone who needed it, whether it be someone in her family or someone in the church. Mag was always the first one there to offer help. She could be found in her daughter’s elementary classroom very week volunteering, at the church fair booth every day during fair week making ham biscuits, behind the sewing machine making doll clothes, and even working out in the yard cutting grass with Tommy! Mag was always busy helping! As she always would tell,”I’m a farm girl and I like to work!”

Mag has truly left behind a wonderful legacy! She was the role model for what a sister in Christ looks like and how one should love, care for, and treat others! Mag will truly be missed, but her memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved her.

Mag was preceded in death by her late parents and brother Tick. She is survived by her husband, Tommy, daughter, Debbie, sisters, Paulette and Judy, son in law, Scott, brother in law, David, and three granddaughters Megan, Kaitlyn, and Madison and their husbands, four great grandchildren: Mason, Clark, Easton, and Juliet. She is survived by numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Funeral Services were held on Thursday, January 25, 2024 at Westover United Methodist Church in Raleigh. Graveside Services followed in Raleigh Memorial Park.

“She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all.’” - Proverbs 31:27-29

“Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you, and over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace, and be thankful.” – Col. 3:12-15

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