Heaven’s angels brought Ann home on the morning of October 13, 2026.

Ann began her life in Batesville, Arkansas on January 19, 1949, where she spent her childhood attending school and time with siblings Bobbye Richardson and Bill Austin. Even as a child, Ann knew what she wanted out of life: a family of her own. Little did she know just how much love she would one day give to the family she dreamed of and to so many others along the way.

Then Ann began her journey north in 1967. She spent her summer days working hard and, without knowing it, making her way toward a love story that would last a lifetime. She met Jerry Higgins, and that was the beginning of an extraordinarily rare kind of love. Jerry saw Ann one day and knew she was the one. The two fell in love and were married on March 9, 1968.

Together, they raised two sons, Jerry Jr. Higgins and Steve Higgins. Ann had a magnetism about her that drew in people, animals, and love wherever she went. She could walk into a room and smile, and suddenly everyone in it knew they were loved.

Ann was proud of the family she and Jerry had raised. Her oldest son, Jerry Jr. Higgins, and his wife, Jenny Higgins, blessed her with three grandchildren: Tommy Higgins and fiancé Alaina Schans, Sydney Granfors and husband Chris Granfors, and Kyle Higgins.

Her youngest son, Steve Higgins, and his wife, Nicole Higgins, were part of the family that brought Ann four more grandchildren: Brookelynn Higgins, Collin Higgins, Lauren Higgins and fiancé Jeremiah Stutzman, and Jordan Holland and her husband, Brandon Holland, gave Ann her first great-grandchild, a little girl named Anna Holland, who was named in her honor.

Ann’s funeral will be on Saturday, October 17th, 2026, from 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM with an hour of visitation before from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM at Chappell Funeral Home, 637 West Main Street, Fennville, MI 49408. Graveside to follow at Taylor Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made in Ann’s name to Wings of Hope Hospice, Allegan.