Mary Alice Willett Higdon, 86, of Lebanon, KY passed away on July 16th, surrounded with the love of her children, Jimmy Higdon (Jane) and Bruce Higdon of Lebanon; Lois Roby (Ed), Mary Jo Zipperle, and Pam Doyle (Scott) of Louisville; Dianne Quiroa (Tony) of Ft. Leonard Wood, MO; and Allie Heck (Ron) of Alexandria. Alice was born in Fredericktown, KY to Claudia Prudence Cusick and Thomas Hershel Willett. When her parents relocated, Alice lived with her aunt and uncle, Mary and Col. Everett Mudd, so she could finish school there. She was blessed to be a part of two loving families, with a total of 20 siblings.

She will be reunited in heaven with her husband of 52 years, Cecil J. Higdon; her parents; and siblings Dorothy Blandford, Margie Johnston, Frances Hamilton, Mary Blandford, Betty Ann Barber, John W. "Jack" Willett, James Edward Willett, Joseph Bertrum "J.B." Willett, Xavier Russell Willett, Thomas Hershel Willett, Jr., Sidney Mudd, Everett Mudd, Jr. and Forrest Mudd.

Alice was a devoted Catholic and a 60-year member of St. Augustine Church in Lebanon, KY. Alice and Cecil's home was always open to family and friends, especially their children's friends. Alice was known and loved for her kindness, generosity, hospitality and her incredible cooking - especially her fried chicken. There was always enough for company and a sample to send next door to her brother Charlie, who loved to reciprocate with his own culinary delights.

Her 13 grandchildren will forever remember Christmases on Spalding Avenue, a snack drawer that was never empty, hiding in her laundry chute, jumping on the mattresses she kept so that everyone would have a bed, her contagious smile, and the joy that family gatherings brought her. They will remember how she loved her flower gardens and feeding the birds. Her 4 great-grandchildren may not have so many memories of this remarkable woman, but we will delight in telling them about her as they grow up.

Additionally, Alice is survived by siblings Juanita Lewis of Mackville, Charlie Willett of Lexington, Shirley Woods and Josephine Adams of Louisville, Juanita Reed of Springfield, Wahseka Luckett of Bardstown, and Arvie Mudd of Harrodsburg. Special thanks to Dr. Jane Cornett and the staffs of Nazareth Home and Barton House in Louisville.

Funeral arrangements are handled by Bosley Funeral Home in Lebanon, with visitation on Sunday from 4-8 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Augustine Church Monday at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Lebanon Memorial Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may go to the Alzheimer's Association or Saint Augustine School in Lebanon, KY.