Joseph Cope Higgins was born November 22, 1965 in to Judy B. Long and Walton Rainer Higgins. Joe had three older brothers Dennis Moulder (his mother's first marriage), Ran Higgins (his father's first marriage) and Pete Higgins. In Joe's early years his parents divorced. At age 4, Glenn Patterson joined the family. Joe always referred to this time as "when we married Glenn." Joe's father later brought Sarah Herrington into the family. Joe would tell anyone he had the benefit of having two sets of parents.
Over the years Joe lived in Jackson, Star, and Clinton- ultimately settling in Flora, Mississippi for the last 25 years. There are many stories of Joe's antics during his school years. During his mid-teens the family tragically lost Joe's brother Pete. Joe's life took an undesired detour until he was 18 and went into treatment. On September 9, 1984 Joe became sober/clean and remained so for 29 years until his death. During those years Joe had a passion for caring and sharing himself with those in recovery either through his work, his fellowship in AA & NA, or his volunteer service.
Joe enjoyed anything in the outdoors especially hunting and fishing. He loved to have company, host/organize gatherings, and to guide new hunters. He cherished his time with friends and family.
Joe was married to Michelle Garrett and had a daughter Kristen Holly Higgins on May 21, 1992. They divorced in February 1999. Joe later married Christina Dann in July 2001 and had a son Bryson Rainer Higgins on Feb 20, 2007.
Joe held a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Mississippi College and a Mississippi Assocication of Alcohol Drug Abuse Counselors - Master Certication.
Some of his most recent community service was as President of the Board of Directors for New Life for Women, Board member Partners to End Homelessness, and Board Member Mississippi Hospital Association Society for Behavioral Health.
Some of Joe's work history included:
Baptist Chemical Dependency Center; Director Adolescent A/D Program – December 1988– December 1994
Charter Behavioral Health Care Systems; Director Partial Hospitalization Program – August 1992 – December 1994
Mississippi Children’s Home Society; Program Director, – December 1994 – December 1997
Zurich North America; Risk Engineer – December 1998 –April 2003
Mean Mallard; General Manager and Co-Owner of MMWGP Division – April 2003- August 2008
Mississippi State Hospital; Director of Compensation (January 2009- April 2011)
University of Mississippi Medical Center; Supervisor Business Operations; (April 2011-until)
In his short 47 years Joe touched many lives and was loved by so many friends and family.
Joe was preceded in death by his brother Pete, his step-mother Sarah Herrington, and his father Walton Rainer Higgins. Joe was followed in death by his mother Judy Long Patterson on March 13, 2014.