Sandra Joan Higgins

Sandra Joan Higgins, 69, a resident of Richards, Mo., died Monday, Jan. 10, 2011, at the St. John's Regional Medical Center in Joplin, Mo. She was born Aug. 24, 1941, in Butler, Mo., the daughter of Roy Earl Cameron and Dorothy Tilton Cameron. She married Melvin Higgins on Dec. 11, 1959, at Girard, Kan. Joan enjoyed cooking and often helped with funeral dinners for friends in the Richards community.

Survivors include her husband, Melvin, of the home; a son, Edgar Earl Higgins and wife, Joy, Nevada; two brothers, Gary Cameron, Great Falls, Mont., and Mark Cameron, Kansas City, Mo.; a sister, Deborah Hawkins, Fort Scott, Kan. Also surviving are a grandson, Edgar Earl Charles Higgins, Nevada; a step-grandson, James Stinnett, Deerfield, Mo.; a step-granddaughter, Rebecca Stinnett, Fort Scott, Kan.; a great-grandson; 11 step-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and a dear friend, Jessica Stinnett. She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Venita Lenora Higgins; an infant son; a sister, Ann Greenway; and a brother, Charles Cameron.

The Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct graveside services at 2:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 13, at the U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Scott. The family will receive friends on Thursday at the Cheney Witt Chapel from 1:30 p.m. until leaving for the cemetery at 2:15. Services are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott.

Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at www.cheneywitt.com.