WEST POINT — Miss Willie Ruth “Bootie” Higgins, 77, of Atlanta and formerly of West Point, passed away Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at Harbor Grace Hospice, Atlanta.

She was born June 5, 1940 in Milltown, Ala. to the parentage of the late Henry Lewis and Willie Bell Hughley Higgins.

Willie Ruth was the pride of her parents and siblings. She was a special needs child that lasted throughout her life. She was closely watched by her step-mother, the late Cora Higgins and sibling, Evelyn Brooks in West Point and by her siblings, Annie Maude Robinson and Doris Higgins in Atlanta. She communicated with her eyes and the use of her hands.

“Bootie” attended Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Atlanta on a regular basis.

She was preceded in death by five brothers, Bobby, George, Leroy, Walter and Otis Higgins and two sisters, Annie Maude Robinson and Evelyn Brooks.

She leaves to mourn two brothers, Tony Higgins of Atlanta, and Horace Higgins of Rex, Ga.; four sisters, Doris Higgins of Atlanta,  Katie Thomas of Buffalo, N.Y.,  Mary Alice Brewer of LaGrange, Ga. and Ruby (Clarence) Jones of Lithonia, Ga. She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, and family friends.

A Celebration of Life Service for Miss Higgins will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at the Bethlehem Baptist Church, West Point, at 11 a.m. with the Dr. W.T. Edmondson, pastor; Bishop Clarence Jones, eulogist and Bishop Q. Carswell and Elder W. R. Heard, officiating. The interment will be held in the Marseilles Cemetery following the service. The remains will lie in state at the church on Saturday, January 6, 2018 from 10 a.m. until the funeral hour.

Online expresses of condolences may be expressed at www.mwleemortuary.com.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to M.W. Lee Mortuary of West Point.