Obituary of Alexis Connor Higgins
Alexis “Connor” Higgins, MD passed away on June 15, 2022, at Hilton Head Hospital, Hilton Head Island, SC. He was 87 years old.
Connor was born in Georgetown, SC December 27, 1934, to Randolph “Connor” and Sarah Melissa McDonald “Sadie” Higgins and grew up in Florence, SC.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Science from The College of Charleston in 1957 and received his MD from The Medical University of South Carolina in 1961.
He and Jo Ann Jernigan were married in 1958 in Florence, SC. She died in 2011 with breast cancer. Connor is survived by 4 children: Kevin Murphree (Garry), R. Connor, Melissa Greer, and Curtis (Anne). He is also survived by 6 grandchildren: Lauren Murphree Nance (Kameron), Chelsea Dickens (William), Caroline, Alexis, Alyssa, and William. He is also survived by his great-grandchild (Joanna Nance) and by his sister, Melissa Cowan (Ross).
In 1961, the family moved to Warm Springs, GA and Connor completed his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Georgia Warm Springs Foundation Hospital. He received his board certification in said specialty shortly thereafter.
Connor served in the United States Navy as Lieutenant Commander in the Medical Corps. His active-duty service was at the Naval Hospital in Norfolk, VA from July 1966 – July 1968 after which he continued his service for 11 years in the US Naval Reserve.
In July 1968, the family returned to Warm Springs and in 1975, they moved to Auburn, AL where Connor began his practice in Rehabilitation Medicine Service in the Veterans Administration hospital system. Connor later moved with his family to Memphis, TN where he continued his practice at the Veterans Administration ending his career as US Chief of Rehabilitation Medicine Service until his retirement in 1998. While in Memphis, he was also affiliated with numerous hospitals in the area.
After retiring, Connor and Jo Ann moved to Northwest Arkansas until her death in 2011. Following Jo Ann’s death, he relocated to Hilton Head Island, SC. He spent the past 10 years enjoying the good life, walking on the beach and all that Hilton Head has to offer. He always cherished time spent with his family and close friends.
Connor and Jo Ann will be privately interred at Parris Island, SC (Beaufort National Cemetery).
The family requests any memorials be sent to the American Cancer Society.
“For myself I am an optimist - it does not seem to be much use to be anything else.”
Winston Churchill.
