Robert "Grandpa" Higgins age 69, joined his Heavenly Angel, and with Anchors up, sailed off into the mighty waters to that Heavenly Shore on March 8, 2019.

All turrets were silent as the Angelic Hosts followed and hovered above the Heavenly Vessel and sang with great joy and praise "The Strife is O'er the Battle Won", as they arrived on that glorious Heavenly Shore.

Robert was born in Newport News of May 30, 1949, the first born some of Elizabeth Gardner, now deceased. During much of his teenage years, Robert lived with an Aunt and Uncle, Frances and John Robert Williams, both deceased in King and Queen County. Robert attended and graduated from Marriott High School in St. Stephen's Church, VA in 1969. At the time of his graduation, Robert was President of the Class of 69. After graduation the Vietnam conflict was active and ongoing. Prior to being drafted, Robert met with a US Navy recruiter and was accepted. After his graduation from boot camp, Robert was assigned to the West Coast and given his first duty assignment with the US Navy Pacific Fleet. His first duty was to the USS George K. MacKenzie DD-836, a WWII era destroyer. He served as a Head Cook in the "Mess" and while on the ship, he spent most of his time in the waters off the coast of North and South Vietnam. He was also a member of the US Navy Ceremonial Drill Team. He only served 4 years of enlistment and, with the Vietnam conflict drawing to a close, he did not re-enlist and was Honorably Discharged.

After his service in the US Navy, he was employed with the Newport News Shipbuilding as a pipefitter for 20 years, then he began his own home repair service, "Higgins Home Repair".

Robert is preceded in death by his mother, Elizabeth Gardner Davis; stepfather, Dennitte M. Davis Sr.; grandparents, Captain Carl Higgins (USAF Retired) and Esther B. Higgins, all of Hampton.

Robert is survived by live-in and loving companion of 20 plus years, Miss Bonnie Guidry and her son Leroy Guidry, originally from Louisiana; his daughter Shannon K. Stamey (Jeffrey) of Anderson, SC; son, John Robert Higgins (Mandi) of Crossville, TN; sister, Ms. Deborah Sue Higgins of Newport News; brother, Dwayne M. Davis (Rhonda) of Hampton; three half-brothers, Dennitte M. Davis Jr. (Diane) of Hampton, Richard D. Davis (Theresa) of Portsmouth, and Gregory W. Davis; as well as numerous grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

The family wishes to offer it's most sincere thanks to Sentara Hospice and their caregivers for their humble compassion; to Colonel Gary T. Settle, of Virginia State Police, Superintendent for his compassion and support in offering several uniformed State Troopers to participate in the Honors by assisting with the procession to the Cemetery; to Lieutenant Commander, Kevin R. Wilson (US Navy retired), instructor of the NJROTC from Kecoughtan High School for providing students from their Honor Guard to participate in honoring Mr. Higgins.

The family will receive friends from 7-9pm Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home. A funeral service will be conducted at 12:30 Wednesday at the funeral home and interment with Navy honors will be at 3:00 PM at the Albert G. Horton, Jr. State Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk.

In lieu of flowers, the Higgins Family requests donations be made to Robert W. Higgins Benefit Memorial and mailed to R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home at 245 S. Armistead Ave, Hampton, VA, 23669 to assist the family with Mr. Higgin's funeral expenses.