Lettie Belle 'Tiny' Higman

Lettie B. Higman (Tiny) 3/12/35 – 9/4/2021

Lettie Belle Higman went to be with her Savior, Jesus Christ, on September 4, 2021 at 12:22 AM. She passed away peacefully in her sleep with her grandson Kevin, son Larry, and friend Sandy holding her hands and stroking her hair. Alan Jackson’s Gospel Album was playing until Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville played, then she had a taste of Margarita that we snuck into her ICU room, we all toasted to a life well lived and then she passed into Glory.
Tiny was born March 12, 1935 in Summit Ridge, CO to John and Roberta Green. She was the only daughter with four brothers, JT, Robert, GW and Johnny. She was named after her two grandmothers but never went by Lettie Belle, being called Tiny from the very beginning and it stuck.
She graduated from Montezuma Cortez High School in May of 1953 and was married to Dale W. Higman on May 1, 1955. From their union they had three sons, Larry, Steve and Don and one daughter, Melodie.
Tiny belonged to the Trinity Lutheran Church and attended a bible study faithfully every week at the church. She also belonged to the ETA Lambda Chapter Sorority for 45 years and was president three times. She belonged to the Four Corners Knitting Guild (Durango) and was president two times. She also was a member of the Lutheran Woman’s Knitting Guild in Cortez.
Tiny was a friend to all, a strong and feisty Christian woman who taught many women how to knit, producing many beautiful knitted pieces for their children, grandkids and great grandkids. Tiny loved good food, great wine, margaritas and good conversation. She loved to laugh.
Tiny retired from Mobile Oil after more than 25 years of service where she was the office manager. She was a hard worker and became friends with many people there. It was there that she met Bo Andres from Texas, a chili cook-off pro, and the Lettie Belle Chili Cook-off was born. Still going strong for 26 years!
Because of her great Christian faith, she endured many tragedies and always had a positive outlook on life. She was quick witted and kept the nurses and doctors laughing till the Lord called her home. Our loss was Heaven’s gain. She’s up in Heaven teaching people how to knit and keeping them laughing.
Her Service will be at her church, the Trinity Lutheran Church, 208 N. Dolores Road, Cortez, CO 81321 at 10:00 AM, October 2nd, 2021. There will be a reception at the church immediately after the service and then a luncheon at the Elks club at noon.
To celebrate her life we will have the 14th annual Dale Higman Memorial Golf Tournament at 2:00 PM on October 2, 2021 after lunch at the Elks and will have the 26th annual Lettie Belle Chili Cook-off on October 3, 2021 at her home, 24345 County Road M, Cortez CO. 81321. Cooking starts at 11:00 with judging at 3:00 and awards at 4:00. We will have a short service honoring her before the awards for best red chili, green chili, salsa, Best Chili Camp, Horseshoes and Redneck Horseshoes are presented. The events are welcome to all. The golf tournament and chili cook-off were her favorite events of the year and we plan to continue those to remember her and Dale every year.
We will miss her so, but are rejoicing in her Salvation, free of pain and agony.
Tiny is preceded in death by her parents, John and Roberta Green; her father and mother-in-law, Cecil and Beryl Higman; her son, Steve Higman; and her daughter, Melodie Hill. Lettie lost the love of her life and husband Dale on January 8, 1999. They had four kids, nine grandkids, and 14 great grandkids. She is survived by sisters-in-law, Loretta and Kay Green; sons, Larry and Don Higman, grandkids, Sara Willoughby, Travis Higman, Zachary Kallweit, Jessica Durr, Garrett Fesgen, Kevin and Ginni Hill, Rowan and Rori Higman; great grandkids Josh, Adam, Lindsey, Kendra and Heidi Willoughby, Bella Higman, Bristol and Annabelle Kallweit, Tanner Machuga, Wyatt Fesgen, Colton Fesgen, and Remington Fesgen.
We love you Tiny!
A Go Fund Me page has been started in Tiny’s name to start a knitting school for young kids to preserve the lost art of knitting. Her vast yarn collection will be used to start the project for junior high and high school students.