Clergy Family

In memoriam

Rev. Hardie Mack Higgins, age 67, of Cedar Hill, Texas, died Jan. 23, 2012.

Hardie was born Sept. 8, 1944, in Blackwell. As a young enlisted soldier, he served in Vietnam. Two decades later, he became a U.S. Army chaplain.

In 1983 he earned a divinity degree from Phillips seminary and was an ordained United Methodist elder. He became an active duty chaplain in 1984. Before retiring as a lieutenant colonel in 2005, his chaplaincy included service in Desert Storm and Iraq. He received numerous medals.

In 2006 he earned a doctorate from Grace Theological Seminary.

Rev. Higgins pastored at Jefferson, Renfrow, and Copan churches in Oklahoma between 1978 and 1984.

Survivors include his wife of 24 years, Younghee Higgins; son Christopher Higgins; daughter Leslie Sykes; a grandson; and former wife, Cheryl Lyn Higgins.

Service was Jan. 27 at Blackwell UMC, with burial at Blackwell Cemetery.
 

Rev. Harold A. Honnold, age 93, of Enid died Jan. 17, 2012. He was a pastor for 62 years.

Harold was born July 14, 1918, in Sand Springs. He married Fay Shelton on July 16, 1944, in Dallas. She predeceased him.

He served at Harrah, Kaw City, Hunter, Newkirk, Ryan, Ardmore-Carter Avenue, Geary, Chelsea Memorial, Atoka, Tulsa-Hagler, Wynnewood, Wetumka, Otterbein, OKC-St. Paul’s, Okeene, Tulsa-Rose Hill, Jones, and Waukomis. He retired in 1985.

Survivors include daughter Mary Fay McCumber, two grandsons, and a great-granddaughter.

Graveside service was Jan. 20 at Waukomis Cemetery.
 

Birdie Ruth Rupe Payette, 94, of Walters died Jan. 26, 2012. She was the widow of Rev. Clair Payette, who died in 1983.

Birdie was born Jan. 30, 1917, near Walters. Clair and Birdie married on Dec. 24, 1933, in Walters. He entered the ministry in 1952. Upon retirement in 1978, the couple moved back to Walters.

She was a longtime member of Walters-First UMC.

Survivors include seven children: Fern Yackeyonney, Bessie Sullivan, and Jessie, David, Richard, Becky, and Donnie Payette; 20 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, and 13 great-great-grandchildren.

Graveside service was Jan. 28 at Walters Cemetery.