Wanda Lorraine Higdon

Beloved wife, mother, mamaw, aunt, and friend, Wanda Lorraine Higdon, peacefully passed away on Monday, March 20th in Rio Linda, CA at the age of 83; surrounded by family.

Wanda was born to George/aka. Bill and Valley McKnight on September 15,1939, in St. Joseph, Missouri and would begin her love for travel when in the 7^th grade, her family moved to California.

Wanda grew into a beautiful young woman and at 17yrs old met and married her first husband Ray Blake. Together, they had two sons before he died tragically in a car accident. Wanda then married Larry Higdon in 1968, creating a wonderful family with her two sons, his two girls and a son, and then the baby girl they had together.  Wanda was fiercely proud of her family and loved them with every fiber of her being.

Wanda was first and foremost a Mom. However, when the kids were old enough, she went to work at PacBell as a switchboard operator and later became a data entry supervisor with the California Franchise Tax Board.  In retirement, she and Larry had planned to retire to their home in Chigger-Hill in Branson, Missouri, but God had other plans as Larry passed in 1998.

Travel was important to Wanda. In addition to all of her trips back to Missouri, she also visited Alaska, Hawaii, and Mexico, as well as the Middle East visiting places such as Egypt and the Holy Land.  She loved spending time with family, especially at picnics, parties, and nights filled with music; her favorite song being “How Great Thou Art”.

In her later years, Wanda took on being a full-time Minister at The Full Gospel Mission-Church until myasthenia-gravis took hold of her health and she had to step down.  She was a great example of humility and led by example, especially when in service to others.  Wanda touched many lives and will be missed greatly.

Wanda is survived by her children Barbara Higdon-Burwell of Hawley, Texas, Connie Higdon-Holloway of Elverta, California, Larry Higdon Jr. (Pam) of Rocklin, California, and Michelle Higdon of Antelope, California. She is also survived by numerous grandkids, great-grandchildren, extended family and friends.

Preceding Wanda in death were both of her parents, brothers (Elmer/aka. Nelson and William/aka. Billy), her husband Ray Blake, husband Larry Higdon and her two sons (Kelvin Blake and Keith Blake).

On Thursday, April 6^th @ 9am, Wanda will be laid to rest at the East Lawn Cemetery on Greenback Lane in Citrus Heights, CA. with a reception at the Full Gospel Mission-Church on 713 Claire Avenue, Sacramento, CA. to follow.