MARSHALL: Grover Howard Higgins of Higgins Lane passed away Friday, January 07, 2011 at Missions Hospital Memorial Campus, while surrounded by his loving family. He was born December 2, 1940 to the late B. H. Higgins and Ada Ray Chambers. A native of Yancey County, Howard had lived in Madison County the past 50 years. Howard was a loving father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was a cowboy at heart and loved his horses; he enjoyed hunting, traveling out west, being outdoors and spending time with family and friends. Howard graduated from Cane River High School in Yancey County, and then later graduated from Barber School in Raleigh, after which he worked as a barber at Mars Hill Barber Shop in Mars Hill for several years, while also farming on his farm in Mars Hill. Howard eventually gave up cutting hair, raising tobacco and cattle farming to return to school and pursue a career in law enforcement. He was leading homicide detective with the Buncombe County Sheriff's department and retired after 12 years as Weaverville Chief of Police. He spent his retirement years enjoying his horses, traveling and was owner/operator of Big Pine Ranch Outfitter and Trail Rides in Marshall, along with his son Mark and daughter Kim. He had received several awards and recognitions for his accomplishment during his law enforcement career, including he was the first police chief in Western North Carolina to hire a female officer, he was also the first officer in Western North Carolina to receive the Advance Law Enforcement Certificate. Howard is survived by his loving fiancé Marie Zarzycki of Asheville, a son, Mark Higgins (Jennifer) of Asheville, daughters; Kim H. Chandler (Bobby) and Suzanne Allen both of Marshall, grandchildren; Jeff Roberts (Shannon), Magon Bailey (Shane), Kenny Roberts, Jarred and Jordan Chandler, Jacklyn and Billy Allen Jr., great grandchildren; Savannah and Tucker Roberts, Trenton and Tanner Bailey, sister, Betty Jean Edwards (Homer), nieces, Patricia Harrell and Debbie Mitchell, nephews; Mike Edwards and Tim Edwards, aunt, Faye Allen and several cousins and extended family members., very special friends, Jackie and Ann Lunsford and family of Marshall. The funeral service will be held at 12 Noon Saturday, January 15, 2011 in Robbie Capps Memorial Chapel of Blue Ridge Funeral Service, Mars Hill. Rev. Homer Edwards and Rev. B. P Boyle will officiate. Howard will be laid to rest in Mars Hill Baptist Church Cemetery near his mother with full honors presented by the fraternal order of police honor guard. He will be taken to the cemetery by his horse dawn covered wagon and horses driven by Mark Higgins and Jackie Lunsford. The family will receive friends from 4 – 7 PM Friday at the funeral home.