Frances Markham Paxton Higgins, 93, passed away on Monday, January 9, 2012 in Roanoke at South Roanoke Nursing Home.

Born March 29, 1918, she was a daughter of the late John L. and Annie N. Markham in Campbell County, VA.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands, Carl R. Paxton and John S. Higgins, Jr., as well as her siblings: brothers, Earl and Melvin Markham, and sisters, Ola Markham, Elizabeth Craft and Lucille Joyce, and son-in-law, Terry Phelps.

Frances was a loving wife and mother and an avid flower gardener. She loved her Episcopal Churches and was a faithful member over the years at Christ Episcopal in Pearisburg, VA, Emmanuel Episcopal in Cumberland, MD, R. E. Lee Episcopal in Lexington, VA, and briefly at Saint John's in Roanoke. She was very active in the Episcopal Church Women (ECW) as long as her health permitted. She is currently a member of R. E. Lee Episcopal Church in Lexington, VA.

Surviving are one son, Dr. Stanley M. Higgins and wife, Ana Paula of Vero Beach, FL; three daughters, Mary Frances P. Lockard and husband, Ed of Vero Beach, FL; Pat Paxton Phelps of Roanoke; Robin Higgins Rau of Kansas City, MO; one brother, Clyde Odell Markham of Brea, CA; six grandchildren: Cindy L. Mitchell, Tim Phelps, Ashley P. Boone, Jonathan, Mariana, and John Paul Higgins; seven great grandchildren, Nick Lockard, Luke and Danny Mitchell, Benjamin and Joseph Phelps, and Grayson and Lauren Boone; many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff at Pheasant Ridge Assisted Living as well as the staff at Generation Solutions. Most recently, we want to thank the staff, nurses and CNAs at South Roanoke Nursing Home for their support and loving care. We will always be grateful. A graveside service will be held 2 p.m. Friday, January 13, 2012 at Stonewall Jackson Cemetery with the Rev. R. David Cox officiating. The family will receive friends from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at Harrison Funeral Home & Crematory, Lexington, VA.