ERIE, PA—Virginia Johnson Higgins, 107, passed away October 21, 2024, in Erie, Pennsylvania.
She was born July 25, 1917, in Baltimore, Maryland to George W. and Anna Rains Johnson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Henry J. Higgins in 1977; and by her brother and his wife, Warren G. and Mary Lee Johnson.
When she was three months old her family returned to Virginia to live at historic Indian Banks in Simonson with her Johnson grandparents. In 1921, they sold Indian Banks and both families moved to Morattico. She had lasting, happy memories of growing up on the Rappahannock River with grandparents, George T. and Emma Balderson Johnson of Simonson and Morattico, and Augustus W. and Sarah Robbins Rains of Foxwells; and with the aunts, uncles and cousins of her extended families.
During her early years in Morattico, a ferry was the transportation across the river, the bus to school was open air and with a canvas cover and travel to Baltimore was by steamboat. The homes in Morattico had no electrical service or running water. There was not a lot of money but there was abundant seafood, fresh local produce and meats and artesian well water. Growing up in Morattico was the foundation of her long, healthy life. She was never happier than when remembering her childhood years in Morattico.
Virginia met her future husband in Morattico when, as a young teen, he would visit in the summer with some of her Johnson cousins to escape the Baltimore heat. From the very first introduction he was destined to become the love of her life.
Her father fished and farmed in Morattico and eventually owned the Johnson’s General Store in Litwalton. Her uncle, Bryan Johnson, owned the General Store (now museum) in Morattico and her brother, Warren, was co-owner of Johnson and Benson Shell Station in Kilmarnock.
Virginia graduated in 1934 from Lively High School, Lively, and attended Averett College, Danville.
Virginia is survived by her son and his wife, Michael and Barbara Higgins, of Clifton Forge; and her daughter and her husband, Diane and Richard Ruth, of Erie. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Andrea Higgins of Clifton Forge, Daniel Ruth and his wife Kate of Mt. Lebanon, Pa., and Caitlin Ruth of Savannah, Ga. In addition, she is survived by her great-grandchildren, Benjamin, Colin and Madelyn.
Local arrangements entrusted to Burton Quinn-Scott Cremation and Funeral Services Inc., 3801 W. 26th Street, Erie, PA 16506. Private burial will take place at Saint Mary’s White Chapel Episcopal Church, Lancaster. Send condolences to www.burtonquinnscott.com.
