Stella Hostetter Higgins, 86, of Lexington, Virginia, died Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at Heritage Hall Nursing Home.

Born April 2, 1924 in Rockbridge County, she was the daughter of the late Herbert K. Hostetter and Myrtle Knick Hostetter.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Phillip Higgins; three brothers, James Hostetter, Carl Hostetter, and Curtis Hostetter; and one sister, Clara Ayres.

Stella was a member of the Ebenezer ARP Church, where she was a member of the Women's Circle.

Surviving are four sons, James E. Higgins and wife, Carmen; Jack W. Higgins and wife, Joyce, both of Lexington; Billy Wayne Higgins and wife, Linda; and Freddie W. Higgins and wife, Diane, both of Buena Vista; one daughter, Doris H. Nicely and companion, Joe of Lexington; one sister, Loreane Barger of Lexington; fourteen grandchildren; twenty one great grandchildren; six great great grandchildren; and thirteen foster children.

Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Friday, February 4, 2011 at Harrison Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jim Giles officiating. Burial will follow in Ebenezer ARP Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, February 3, 2011 at Harrison Funeral Home & Crematory, Lexington, VA.