Donald Lee ‘Sam’ Higgins

He was born Jan. 21, 1947, at Elkins, a son of the late Earnest Higgins and Myrtle Taylor Higgins.

He was twice married, first to Marlene Atkinson Higgins, who preceded him in death June 27, 2022, and on Feb. 10, 2024, he was married to Betty Brown Bender, who survives.

Also surviving are one son, Donald D. “Robin” Higgins and wife, Marie, of Beverly; one step-son, Edwin Bender and wife, Grace, of Belington; two step-daughters, Lena Mae Hicks and husband, Mike, of North Carolina and Sandy Bender of Belington; four brothers, Mike Higgins and wife, Cathy, and Jim Higgins and wife, Genny, all of Elkins, Jack Higgins and wife, Crystal, and Buck Higgins and wife, Lucille, all of Wheeling, West Virginia; and two sisters, Patty Everson of Virginia and Sis Everett of Belington.

Also surviving are grandsons, David Lee Higgins and wife, Macie, and Joshua Tyler Higgins and spouse, Shawn McPherson; one step-grandson, Dakota Bender; and great-grandchildren, Roman David Higgins and Gabriel Asher Higgins.

Also preceding him in death were infant son, Richard Lee Higgins; brothers, John and Henry Higgins; sister, Helen Anderson; and brother-in-law, Dave Everson.

Donald was a Correctional Officer and retired from Huttonsville Correctional Center. He loved to farm and work with his cattle. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was a member of The Refuge Church near Gilman.

Friends will be received from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025, at The Refuge Church near Gilman.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, from the church. Pastor Kevin Gainer will officiate.

Interment will follow at Mountain State Memorial Gardens near Gilman.

The Tomblyn Funeral Home of Elkins is in charge of the arrangements for Donald Lee “Sam” Higgins.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.tomblynfuneralhome.com.