Judy Edwards Higgison

on World Peace Day – a day that encourages us to be kind to others and to pursue the goal of peace everywhere. Judy was born on March 7, 1940 in Boston, MA to Dr. and Mrs. Dale Willis Edwards. After spending her early childhood in both Boston and San Francisco while her father was stationed in the Navy, Judy spent the remainder of her childhood growing up in the Avondale neighborhood of Jacksonville, Florida. She attended West Riverside Elementary School as well as the former Robert E. Lee High School.

After high school graduation, Judy attended Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC to study Sociology where she met her future husband studying at Wake Forest University. On August 20, 1960, she married Miles at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Jacksonville, Florida. The couple then moved to Northern Virginia to begin their dual careers.

Judy started her successful healthcare career with Northern Virginia Orthopedic Group in Alexandria, VA and quickly rose throughout the organization to the role of Practice Administrator. She proudly worked for the organization for 28 years. After her husband retired from The Fairfax County Public School system with 30 years of service, the couple moved back to Jacksonville in 1989. From 1989 to 2007, Judy served as the Office Manager for Retina Associates PA, and was instrumental in helping Dr. Fred H. Lambrou, Jr. grow his medical practice into multiple locations. In 2009, she joined the Levenson Eye Associate Riverside team where she served as a dedicated Patient Care Coordinator until 2020. She was especially fond of her 11 years working with her colleagues and the medical staff in Dr. Jeffrey Levenson’s medical practice.

Judy was known by her friends and family for her kindness, generosity, and her passion for community service. One friend recently described her as a “sweet, gentle, and compassionate soul that gave freely to the community.” Judy was extremely honored to be a recipient of the First Coast News “12 Who Care Community Service Award” in 2005. With her servant heart, she dedicated her volunteer service to numerous local nonprofits in the community, including The Salvation Army, Community Hospice & Palliative Care, and by serving as a Stephen Minister through Good Shepherd Episcopal church for more than a decade. These are just some of the organizations that she passionately dedicated her time and energy to serving.

Judy was predeceased by her mother, Jane Larmon Edwards; her brother, Billy Edwards; her father, Dale Edwards; grandmother, Alice Edwards; her nephew, Justin Edwards; and her husband of 31 years, Miles Higgison. In addition, Judy also lost her father-in-law, Edwin W. Higgison; brother-in-law, Edwin C. Higgison; sister-in-law, Linda F. Higgison; and her dear mother-in-law, Sara Jewell Higgison in 2017.

She is survived by her daughter, Lynn Higgison, of Jacksonville, FL; her son, Scott Higgison (Kelly) of Springfield, VA; her brother Dale Edwards Jr. of Jacksonville, FL; and each of her cherished sisters-in-law, Barbara Stone (Jim) of Charlottesville, VA; Maria Edwards (Dale), and Stephanie Ibach of Jacksonville, FL. Judy loved her three grandchildren with all of her heart — Taylor Jane Higgison (Mooresville, NC); Brooke Elizabeth Higgison (Charlotte, NC); and Brian Miles Higgison (Greenville, NC). In addition, she cherished each of her nieces and nephews and her first cousin, Linda Alexander, of Atlanta, GA.

The entire family extends their deepest appreciation and love to Judy’s compassionate and gifted in-home caregivers including Rachael Aursby, Christine Parker, and Alacia Davis-Jordan. Also, to all the medical professionals that cared for her at Mayo Jacksonville, Baptist Health, UF Health, Ascension St. Vincent’s Riverside, and Ascension St. Catherine Laboure Place.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at All Saint’s Episcopal Church located at 4171 Hendricks Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32207. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to All Saint’s Episcopal Church or any of the following non-profit organizations: Wounded Warrior Project (https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org); Cathedral District-Jax, Inc. (https://cathedraldistrict-jax.org); Pine Castle (https://pinecastle.org); or Family Promise of Jacksonville (https://familypromisejax.org).