Sylvia Elaine Higgins

I, Sylvia Sasser Higgins transitioned on Friday, March 25, 2022 after a long battle with breast cancer. When I drew my last breath, I was surrounded by my loving family... just as I desired.

I was born to Bobby E. Sasser and Caroline M. Sasser on April 23, 1957. As with many of their generation, my parents were "kids having kids." I pushed the boundaries of discipline many times before leaving home for the last time on April 5, 1980 to marry Peter Higgins. Peter and I were married for 41 years, a HUGE accomplishment at a time when divorce was almost a national pastime. Our marriage was not perfect, but we were happy. We had hopes and dreams, some were joyfully realized, and some were not. We made mistakes, but we asked pardon when and where it was needed and received it from those who mattered most. I am so grateful that we persevered to spend my last years close in the comfort of love and sure in the knowledge that we will meet again in Heaven. I could not have wished for anyone better to hold my hands and pray with me as we chased new chemo treatments and clinical trials, and no other partner could have been more suited to accompany me on the journey of adoption that resulted in the expansion of our family with our precious daughter Olivia Grace Mei. To Peter I say, "Thank you for everything. I love you very much, and I will see you again soon."

Gracie was the joy in my life, and I loved her 'to the moon and back.' To say I was proud to watch her grow and mature into the beautiful, kind, smart and compassionate woman that she is today would be an understatement. She thinks for herself and forms her own opinions, and she puts God first in her life. There is no hurdle she can't overcome; nothing she can't do. I'll be watching over her as she continues to spread her wings and becomes the person God created her to be. I've no doubt that she will SOAR. Gracie, I love you, Punkin.

I was not overly ambitious, but I returned to college later in life, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Health Science from Armstrong Atlantic State University. I had some fulfilling and enjoyable jobs in my career, mostly in the administrative management arena. I was blessed to be able to work with people I liked and admired, and who, for the most part, became lifelong friends.

I was predeceased by my father, Bobby. I am survived by my husband, Peter; daughter, Gracie; mother, Caroline; brother, Jimmy; sisters, Debra (Wing), Julie (Susan), nieces, Katie (Sean), Abby (Logan), Stephanie (Jeff), Janine (Nandon); and nephew, Jonathan (Mallory).

My family's enduring thanks to family and friends who stuck by me, who were there for me with friendship, love and support. A heartfelt gratitude to all my local physicians and nurses, and for the phenomenal teams at MD Anderson who bent over backwards to find viable treatments for me and took care of me when my health meant hospital stays far from home. It is truly the place to be when you are fighting cancer.

Thank You Lord for the time and the love you granted me as I traveled through life. I can't wait to meet you and see what lies ahead in your eternal realm.

Love to you all in Jesus' name,

Sylvia

A visitation to celebrate my life will be held Saturday, April 2, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. with a service at 12:00 p.m. at Baker McCullough Funeral Home, 7415 Hodgson Memorial Drive, Savannah, Georgia 31406.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation: https://give.bcrf.org