Faye Higgins-Hodges

To the world, you are a mother. To us, you are the world.

Faye Higgins-Hodges passed peacefully into her heavenly home on Thursday, May 2, 2024 in Odessa, Texas.

She was born on May 12, 1928, to Millard and Henrietta Richey in Manifest, Louisiana where she was raised until meeting the love of her life, John Webb Higgins, who she married in Jena, Louisiana on June 25, 1946. They enjoyed 56 wonderful years together. Faye was lucky to find love again and married Robert Charles Hodges in Lubbock, Texas on February 6, 2004, and they were married for 20 years.

Faye’s greatest joy was her family, her sun, moon and stars. She beautifully and meticulously cared for her children and grandchildren with a true and unconditional love, always making her home the epicenter of treasured memories that will endure a lifetime for all generations. Faye also devoted her life to the loving care of her daughter, Dolores, who has a disability. Selflessness characterized her entire life.

Faye was also blessed with a God-given calling to serve others, which began at a young age as a Candy Striper. As a mother, she volunteered for her children in numerous capacities, including her role as a Cub Scout Den Mother. She also served on the Advisory Council at the Midland Senior Center. Her faith was integral to her very being, her driving force to love, forgive and meet God’s call to care for “the least of these”.  She gave much of her time to serving her parish(es), volunteering for the St. Ann’s Family Fair, and serving as the President of St. Vincent de Paul Society Thrift Store.  She dedicated hours of time to her church community, including the Lazarus Ministry, eventually earning her the unofficial title of “Honorary Nun”.

On August 18, 1984, Faye’s youngest son, Joseph, was tragically killed by an intoxicated driver at the age of 24. Thus began Faye’s most notable and important mission: to make her son’s loss of life a lifesaving reminder to others by using her grief as a call to action for the prevention of drunk driving. Faye began the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Midland Chapter, which evolved into Stop DWI, Inc., allowing more funds to be used locally. Throughout Faye’s quest to end drunk driving, Faye impacted numerous lives and her community by serving on Victim Impact Panels, educating teens on the dangers of intoxicated driving, Victim’s Assistance and so much more. Faye’s unwavering commitment to use this tragedy for good even earned her the honor of receiving the State of Texas, “Volunteer of the Year” award presented by Ann Richards in the early 1990’s.

She is survived by her second husband, Robert Charles Hodges, of Midland, TX; and her five children, Eva Fawcett and spouse, Gary Bynum, of Cedar Park, TX; Nancy Higgins of Houston, TX; Dolores Higgins of Midland, TX; Mary Ellen McCallum of Midland, TX; and Michael Higgins and spouse, Carmen, of Bulverde, TX. She is also survived by her adoring granddaughters Shannon Bosworth of Fort Worth, TX; Laura Buckner and Spouse, Alan, of Houston, TX; Adria McKechnie and spouse, Jason, of Round Rock, TX; Erin Weaver and spouse, Cary, of Beaumont, TX; Ali Poteet and spouse, Jeremy, of Fulton, MD; and April Higgins of Northampton, MA; and seventeen great grandchildren and nine great great grandchildren, all whom she delighted in.

She is preceded in death by her first husband, John Webb Higgins; her parents and three sisters; and her loving son, Joseph Higgins.

Faye lived life as a faithful servant of Christ, finding joy and hope in all circumstances. She would most assuredly advise you, “If you can stop to listen, you can hear God even in a bird’s song.”  Every day of her life she listened. She will be deeply missed by her family and her legacy will live on forever.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to St. Vincent de Paul Society of Midland, Texas at PO Box 711, Midland, Texas 79702.

A rosary will be held in honor of Mrs. Higgins on Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 7:00 pm at Nalley-Pickle and Welch Funeral Home, 3800 N. Big Spring Street, Midland, TX. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Friday, May 10, 2024, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 1906 W. Texas Avenue, Midland, TX, with burial to follow at Ellis Resthaven Memorial Park, 4616 N. Big Spring Street, Midland, TX. Arrangements were handled under the direction of Nalley-Pickle and Welch, Midland, TX.

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