Barbara “Bobbee” Blake Higgs passed on into eternal life on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, after a 12-year struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease. She is at peace now with her Lord and Savior. Bobbee, as she was known to family and friends, was born in Worcester, MA.

Bobbee attended school in Worcester, MA, and graduated from Pace University with a B.S. degree in Industrial Psychology and Personnel Management. She worked for American Telephone and Telegraph for 11 years as an Overseas Operator; following this, she held the position of Human Resource Officer and Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies for 25 years before her retirement in 1985.

She was musically inclined and enjoyed singing and traveling with groups and church choirs. Her greatest joy was winning at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, NY, during Amateur Night. She accepted Christ early on, and her home church was John Street Baptist Church, Worcester, MA.

In 1985, she met and married Bishop Joseph S. Higgs in Nyack, NY, and, in 1988, she relocated to Newport News, VA, and became affiliated with Mr. Gilead Baptist Church and later transferred her membership to First Baptist Church Denbigh.

The character of her life can be summed up in a few words: she was sincere, loyal, industrious, humorous, self-pacifying, and most of all, a child of the king.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, O.R. Wright; her husband, Bishop Joseph S. Higgs; her son, Marine Lance Corporal Noel A. Wright; and her brother, John Hazard.

Bobbee is survived by her devoted Stepdaughter, Gail Brown (Larry Steptoe) from Newport News, VA; sons, Apostle Paul Higgs (ex-daughter-in-law Tammy Higgs) from Newport News, VA, and Paterson, NJ, and Jeffrey Higgs (Cindy) from Wilmington, MA; seven step-grandchildren, Jason Crosby (Venita), Jasmine Nelson (Kiwanna), Michael Higgs, Samantha Higgs, Amanda Higgs, Jordan Higgs, and Morgan Higgs; nine step-great-grandchildren, Noella Merrell, Jayla Crosby, Taylor Crosby, Joseph Crosby, Austin Crosby, A’mel Higgs, DJ Porter, Mikaela Porter and AJ Floyd; niece, Stacey Hazard-LaNear; nephew, Jon Hazard; along with many other step-nieces and step-nephews; and a host of other loving family and friends.

A visitation will occur on Sunday, December 10, 2023, at Peninsula Funeral Home from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Life on Monday, December 11, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. The service will be live-streamed on www.peninsulafuneralhome.com. Burial will occur on Monday, December 18, 2023, at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Suffolk, VA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Southeastern Virginia Alzheimer’s Association, 6350 Center Drive, Suite 102, Norfolk, VA 23502.

Arrangements are under the care of Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd, Newport News, VA 23601.