Patsy Houston Gold Higgins, the beloved oldest daughter of Reuben Kidd and Zenobia Ruth Denson Houston, was born July 24, 1935, in Sherman, TX. Patsy grew up in Bay Springs, Mississippi, where her parents moved during World War II. Patsy attended Florida State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in Vocal Music Education in 1958. Florida State is also where she met and fell in love with her soulmate, Forrest Donald Gold. They were married in June 1957. Patsy and Don lived in five different states prior to settling in El Dorado, Arkansas in 1975. She was known lovingly as Grandy by her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Patsy was a homemaker and mother while her children were growing up. She began her career as an elementary music teacher at Yocum Elementary School, where she taught for 21 years before retiring. Patsy was a devoted member of First Baptist Church of El Dorado, Arkansas, since 1975, where she sang in the choir and served as a soloist on numerous occasions. She was a member of the Parlor Sunday School class. Patsy was an avid bridge player and played with four different bridge groups, and she loved the friendships she made through bridge. She enjoyed meeting once a month with her birthday club to celebrate her many friends’ birthdays.
Patsy served on the South Arkansas Symphony Board for many years and supported all things arts in El Dorado. She was a member of the El Dorado Chorale, where she loved singing with her fellow musicians, the South Arkansas Arts Center, and she sang special music with various church choirs in the area. Patsy also loved to volunteer and served as a volunteer at South Arkansas Regional Hospital for a good number of years.
Patsy was preceded in death by her loving husband, Forrest Donald Gold in 1977. She met and married Raymond Barham Higgins in 1991, who had also been previously widowed. He passed away in 2010. She was also predeceased by her loving parents, Reuben Kidd Houston, and Zenobia Ruth Denson Houston; her younger sister, Barbara Houston McCollum and her husband, Jerald Douglas McCollum; her younger brother, Reuben Kidd Houston Jr, (Sonny) and his wife, Alice Gray Wiggers Houston; and her dear cousin and friend, Zaidee Chatham Galloney.
She is survived by her two daughters, Donna Gold Harris (Bobby) of Bryant, Arkansas, Debbie Gold Morrison (Steve) of Monticello, Arkansas, and her son, Scott Houston Gold of Deerfield Beach, Florida; two grandchildren, Kathryn Morrison Rinehart (Doug) of Bentonville, Arkansas, and Steven Sadler Morrison of Springfield, Missouri; two great grandchildren, Van Sadler Rinehart, and Grace Elizabeth Rinehart. Patsy is also survived by two bonus sons, Ray Higgins (Judy) of Fayetteville, Arkansas, John Paul Higgins (Sally) of Weddington, North Carolina; and several bonus grandchildren, Adam and Ryan Higgins; Charlie, Caroline, and Collin Higgins, Ashley Seymour, and Mitchell Greene; and by her many wonderful nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.
Visitation will take place Friday, May 17, 2024, at Young’s Chapel beginning at 2:00 p.m. and continuing until services begin at 3:00 p.m. Interment will follow in Arlington Memorial Park under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Music Ministry, 200 W. Main St., El Dorado, AR 71730 or to the South Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, 314 E. Oak St., El Dorado, AR 71730.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.youngsfuneralhome.com.
