VERNELLE WHITE HIGGINS was born on May 9, 1933, to the late Corine Mashack and J. D. White.

Vernelle was a 1964 graduate of Kennedy High School, Harleyville, SC, and studied for a time at USC, Salkehatchie. She received a completion certificate from the Ministerial Extension Program at Morris College, Sumter, SC.

Vernelle became a loyal and dedicated member of the Elem Missionary Baptist Church at an early age and served faithfully throughout her life, even as her health began to decline. For several years she served as the church's financial secretary. She served on the pastor's aid and missionary ministries, and as president and member of the Gospel Choir. Vernelle served as secretary of the Women's Auxiliary of the Lovely Hill Baptist Association and as a choir member for the Lovely Hill Baptist Association.

Vernelle was employed by and retired from Dorchester School District 4 after more than 30 years of service as a mathematics resource teacher's aid and substitute teacher. In the community, she used her melodious alto voice as a lead singer for the Gehovah Gospel Singers and as a member of the Community Voices, where she also held the office of president. Fishing was one of her favorite pastime activities. She also enjoyed reading religious literature, answering Bible trivia questions and solving Word Search puzzles.

On March 26, 1951, Vernelle was united in holy matrimony to Edward Higgins. To this union, seven children were born.

On Wednesday, January 23, 2019, at 7 o'clock pm, Vernelle White Higgins quietly departed her earthly life and entered Heaven's gates.

Her husband and three children, Julius McRay, Edward, Jr., and Sherman Louis preceded her in death.

She leaves a rich and spiritual legacy to be cherished in the hearts and minds of her children:

Mildred (Rev. Julius) Steed, Columbia, SC; Bernard (Leola) Higgins, Dorchester, SC; Carrie (Chalmers) Smalls, Jr. and Carl H. Higgins, Harleyville, SC.

Her seventeen grandchildren: Julius II, Sonja(Greg), Kecia (Raymond), Tome' (Stacey), Shalaya, Delvin, DeEtte, Bernard, Jr., Bionca, Brandon, Raynette, Sikheria (Brian), Kelton (Danielle), Sheree (Demetrius), Krystle (Raymon), Daniel, and Shane (Kaheem).

Her twenty-five great-grandchildren: Azaria, Wayne, Gregory, Jr., Raymeire, TeVaughn, Trenton, Trinidy, Taylor, Gianna, Dailon, Isjon, Malaysia, DeNeshia, Vincent, Christshayia, Kristen, Kingston, Olivia, Kelton Jr., Chandler, Carolaysia, Kylie, Ja'Saun, Christiana and Christopher.

Her five great-great grandchildren: Patience, Royalty, Italy, Kin'niyah and Kin'arion.

A daughter-in-law, Mary Helen Higgins, one sister Hattie (Rev. Bellinger) Folk, Sr., six sisters-in-law, one brother-in-law, a very special cousin, Rollie Mae Hicks, and a host of nieces, nephews, other loving relatives and friends.