WILMINGTON — Bette Elaine Ort Higgins, 90, passed away Tuesday, May 1, 2018. She was born June 6, 1927, to Aubrey William and Hattabelle Waugaman Ort in Brackenridge, Pennsylvania.
Bette was united in marriage to Jack Hubert Higgins of Atlanta, Georgia, on July 11, 1950. They made their first home in Miami, Florida. She and Jack were soon raising their growing family, which included Caroline, Jacalyn and Marilyn.
In 1955, the family moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where Bette, an R.N., began work for St. Francis Hospital, and held many positions, which included developing the Epidemiology Program with CDC, the first in Oklahoma. Bette had many interests including Girl Scouts, sewing, crocheting, quilting, tennis and aerobics. She was also involved in her church, Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian.
Bette was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jack; sister, Marjorie; and daughter, Jacalyn.
She is survived by her sister, Geraldine Dorminy of Crystal River, Florida; brother, Paul Ort of Tallahassee, Florida; sister, Georgea Von Lutcken of Manasquan, New Jersey; daughter, Caroline Stiles, and her husband, David, of Carrollton, Texas; daughter, Marilyn Bishop, and her husband, Robert, of Wilmington; son-in-law, Gary Leath of Cebu City, Philippines; and six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, May 11, at St. Andrews Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1416 Market St., Wilmington, with the Rev. Robb Lapp officiating. Due to Memorial weekend activities, the joint interment service for Bette and Jack (d. Nov. 23, 2017) will be held at 2:30 p.m., Friday, May 25, at Memorial Park Cemetery, Tulsa, Oklahoma, followed by a joint memorial service at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 26, at Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian, Tulsa, Oklahoma, with Dr. Wayne Hardy officiating.
Memorials may be made in memory of Bette Higgins to Lower Cape Fear Hospice, Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401.
Arrangements are being handled by Andrews Mortuary, Wilmington, and Memorial Park, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Share online condolences with the family at andrewsmortuary.com.
