Brooks Dale Higgins, age 75 years, a resident of Elkins, WV departed this life Sunday, February 7, 2021 at his home surrounded by his loving family, and under the care of West Virginia Caring Hospice.
He was born Tuesday, January 22, 1946 at Elkins, WV, a son of the late Russell Higgins, Sr. and Cecelia Edna Hoover Higgins.
Surviving are one daughter, Rebecca Higgins Harman of Beverly; one son, Matthew Higgins and wife Rebecca. Brooks dearly loved his grandson, Briar Higgins. He was also blessed with two step granddaughters, Vanessa (Shane) Halle and Alicia Kaposy; and four step great-grandchildren, Parker and Alexis Halle, Ava Kaposy, Kayden Ray and Guage Wiseman. One of six children, Brooks is survived by a sister, Mary Gale Higgins, and three brothers, Russell Jr., David and Preston (Patch).
He is preceded in death by one brother, Nathan (Buck) Higgins. Brooks was once married to Cecie Siler Higgins.
He attended the schools of Randolph County. While still in school, he cut pulp wood with his father and brother in Highland County, Virginia, worked for Jim Hartman, owner of Hartman’s Flower Shoppe, and for Brownie Kennedy’s Dairy Farm. After high school, he worked as a trim carpenter on the “Projects” in the Washington D.C. area. Returning to WV, he began working in the mines. First on Sharp’s Knob and later at Three Forks Coal in Cassity. Brooks moved on to the larger union mines; first to Alpine Mine in Bayard, WV, then to Valley Camp Coal in Wheeling, WV, where he was a member of their Mine Rescue Team. Trying to get closer to home, he began work at the Robinson Run mine until it closed due to fire. He retired from Consolidated Coal’s Dobbin-alpine Complex in Bayard. Brooks spent over 30 years as a proud member of UMWA District 31.
A man of many skills, Brooks built a road to the spot on a hill he wanted to build his home, and then built the house with the help of his father and brothers. He was a mason, the electrician and the plumber. He brought a few vehicles “Back to life” with his mechanical and welding skills. Easily described as inventive and imaginative, he even built a snow plow from an old hot water tank! In his prime, Brooks hunted and fished with his son, father and brothers, often tent camping for the weeks of deer season. He and his family spent most summer vacations camping and fishing along the Glady, Dryfork, Greenbrier, and Williams Rivers. Brooks loved to dance, tell a tall tale and have a good time with friends and family. He will be greatly missed by those who loved him. May he rest in peace.
The family will receive friends at the Lohr & Barb Funeral Home of Elkins on Saturday, February 13, 2021 from 11 AM to 1 PM. Final rites will be conducted at the funeral home on Saturday at 1 PM. The Rev. Todd Rhodes will officiate and interment will follow at the Elkins Memorial Gardens at Elkins, WV. Masks and social distancing will be required.
