(June 20, 2009) - Dr. Nathaniel Higgs Sr., son of the late Benjamin Higgs and Ruth Washington, was born Feb. 14, 1931 in Palmyra, N.C., where he completed elementary school. He attended junior high school in Scotland Neck before moving with his family to Baltimore at an early age. After graduation from Dunbar High School, he earned an undergraduate degree from then Morgan State College. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Religion and in 1977, earned a Doctorate of Divinity degree, both from The Virginia College and Seminary in Lynchburg, Va.
In 1958, Dr. Higgs was converted, baptized and fellowshipped into the Southern Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late Rev. James R. Grant. In 1961, he accepted his calling to preach. He was licensed and later ordained as a Baptist minister.
In 1953, Dr. Higgs was joined in holy matrimony to the former Bernice Whitaker. God blessed their union with eight offspring. He loved his family and enjoyed vacationing and spontaneous outdoor adventures. Dr. Higgs accepted his blessing of being a husband, father, grandfather and friend, and served the Lord with gladness.
On Feb. 19, 1967, he was installed as the third pastor of Southern Baptist Church and served faithfully for 36 years. Throughout his dynamic ministry and sojourn, the church continued to be a thriving lighthouse. He was a dedicated person who was totally concerned with saving souls. As a result of his effective leadership, a number of preachers were developed, many of whom are currently successful pastors.
First and foremost, Dr. Higgs distinguished himself, by the help of the Lord, to be known throughout this nation as a man of God. His achievements and serves were not limited to the Christian faith community. In both city and state affairs, Dr. Higgs was widely known and recognized as a great leader, business executive, entrepreneur and the pastor of a great people, The Southern Baptist Church.
When Dr. Higgs died, June 5, he left these family members to cherish their memories of him: His beloved wife, First Lady Emeritus Bernice Higgs; four sons, Nathaniel Jr., Marvin, Bruce and David; four daughters; Angela, Carol, Melissa and Rosita; one adopted son, Dr. Robert L. Haynes, one adopted daughter, Peggy Kellam; two sons-in-law, Melvin Davis Sr. and Kevin Brooks; four daughters-in-law; Marie, Trina, Joanne and Janet Higgs; 15 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; four sisters; Bertha Mae Hanson, Stella Mae Long, Sharon Smith and Deborah Butler; one brother, Walter Higgs; three brothers-in-law; three sisters-in-law; a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and other family members and friends.