Educated in the schools of East St. Louis, he was an outstanding student who participated in sports as a basketball player and in music as a clarinetist in the band at Lincoln High School. His college years were spent at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, where, after three and one half years, he was awarded the Bachelor of Science degree. He continued his studies in Nashville at Meharry Medical College and was graduated fifth in his class with the degree Doctor of Medicine.
After a year's internship and two years in pediatric residency at Homer G. Phillips Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, he was selected as the first black resident physician at Jefferson Davis Hospital in Houston, and there he completed a third year residency in pediatrics.
After two years of service at Castle SAC Air Force Base in Merced, California, Higgins returned to Houston, joined the Lockwood Medical Group and established his pediatric practice.
Dr. Higgins served on the medical staff of the Texas Children's Hospital, which recently honored him as a forty-three year member of the clinical staff of Baylor College of Medicine. He served as Chairman of the Pediatric Section of the staffs at Riverside, St. Elizabeth and St. Joseph's Hospitals, the last for an unprecedented three terms; he served as Resident Physician at the Negro Child Center (De Pelchin Children's Center) and was appointed by then County Commissioner Bill Elliott to the medical board of CPS.
He spearheaded the founding of the Sickle Cell Foundation in Houston, where he served as Medical Director for approximately fifteen years, and a member of other organizations such as the Houston Medical Forum, the National American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, Harris County Medical Society and Alpha Phi Alpha, Nu Boule', and Sigma Pi Phi Fraternities.
Preceded in death by his parents and granddaughter, Jessica Marie Howard, he is survived by his wife of fifty-one years, Edwina Gray Higgins, two daughters, Rhonda Higgins-Linzy (Anthony) and Adrienne Marie Higgins and one son, Stephen E. Higgins, D.D.S.
He was a faithful member of Trinity United Methodist Church, 2600 Holman, at which funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 18, 2004. Viewing will be from 10:00 am-12:00 pm, with services immediately following.
Burial will follow at Forest Park Lawndale. The family of Dr. Higgins would like to give special thanks and deep appreciation to his dedicated and loyal office staff, to his colleagues and to those who cared for him during his illness. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 2600 Holman Street, Houston, Texas, 77004, or to The Alzheimer's Association, 2909 West Holcombe Blvd. Houston, Texas, 77025 in the name of Dr. Clarence R. Higgins, Jr.
Published by Houston Chronicle from Aug. 16 to Aug. 17, 2004
Educated in the schools of East St. Louis, he was an outstanding student who participated in sports as a basketball player and in music as a clarinetist in the band at Lincoln High School. His college years were spent at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, where, after three and one half years, he was awarded the Bachelor of Science degree. He continued his studies in Nashville at Meharry Medical College and was graduated fifth in his class with the degree Doctor of Medicine.
After a year's internship and two years in pediatric residency at Homer G. Phillips Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, he was selected as the first black resident physician at Jefferson Davis Hospital in Houston, and there he completed a third year residency in pediatrics.
After two years of service at Castle SAC Air Force Base in Merced, California, Higgins returned to Houston, joined the Lockwood Medical Group and established his pediatric practice.
Dr. Higgins served on the medical staff of the Texas Children's Hospital, which recently honored him as a forty-three year member of the clinical staff of Baylor College of Medicine. He served as Chairman of the Pediatric Section of the staffs at Riverside, St. Elizabeth and St. Joseph's Hospitals, the last for an unprecedented three terms; he served as Resident Physician at the Negro Child Center (De Pelchin Children's Center) and was appointed by then County Commissioner Bill Elliott to the medical board of CPS.
He spearheaded the founding of the Sickle Cell Foundation in Houston, where he served as Medical Director for approximately fifteen years, and a member of other organizations such as the Houston Medical Forum, the National American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, Harris County Medical Society and Alpha Phi Alpha, Nu Boule', and Sigma Pi Phi Fraternities.
Preceded in death by his parents and granddaughter, Jessica Marie Howard, he is survived by his wife of fifty-one years, Edwina Gray Higgins, two daughters, Rhonda Higgins-Linzy (Anthony) and Adrienne Marie Higgins and one son, Stephen E. Higgins, D.D.S.
He was a faithful member of Trinity United Methodist Church, 2600 Holman, at which funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 18, 2004. Viewing will be from 10:00 am-12:00 pm, with services immediately following.
Burial will follow at Forest Park Lawndale. The family of Dr. Higgins would like to give special thanks and deep appreciation to his dedicated and loyal office staff, to his colleagues and to those who cared for him during his illness. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 2600 Holman Street, Houston, Texas, 77004, or to The Alzheimer's Association, 2909 West Holcombe Blvd. Houston, Texas, 77025 in the name of Dr. Clarence R. Higgins, Jr.
Published by Houston Chronicle from Aug. 16 to Aug. 17, 2004
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