Lincoln Higgins Obituary

Lincoln "Linc" Higgins

February 13, 2025

JOHNSON CITY - Lincoln "Linc" Higgins, 86, Johnson City, passed away on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at the James H. Quillen V.A. Community Living Center, following a lengthy illness.

Linc was a native of Erwin, TN, and had been a resident of Johnson City for most of his life. He was a son of the late Shelby and Bessie Mae Howell Higgins.

Linc was a 1955 graduate of Unicoi County High School, and then proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1955-59. He later attended E.T.S.U. where he studied Criminal Justice.

Linc served his community as a Law Enforcement Officer for forty-two years. He first worked at the Johnson City Police Department from the beginning of his career in 1964, where Linc was one of the first motorcycle officers, and over the next thirty-one years, worked his way up to Captain and C.I.D. Commander before retiring in 1995. Later that year, he joined the Washington County Sheriff's Office where he served as Major until retiring in 2007. In addition, Linc also served with the First Judicial District Drug Task Force as a Narcotics Agent.

He was of the Free Will Baptist faith. Linc was a former member of the Fraternal Order of Police, Johnson City V.F.W. Post #2108, Johnson City Moose Lodge #1831, and the Erwin Elks Lodge #1985, where he enjoyed playing golf with his friends. Linc was a Harley-Davidson rider, and if you didn't ride a Harley, you didn't ride with him. He was also an avid fisherman and enjoyed golf.

In addition to his parents, Linc was preceded in death by his two brothers, Raymond Higgins and Don Howell, and his sister, Mary E. Powers.

He is survived by his two children, Brady Higgins and wife Renea, Sanford, FL, Wendy Higgins Cowan, Jonesborough; his grandson, Connor Cowan, Jonesborough; several nieces and nephews.

The memorial service honoring Linc's life will be held Thursday, February 27. 2025, at 7:00 P.M., from the East Chapel of Appalachian Funeral Home, with Pastor Scott Thompson and Lt. Tom Frayer, officiating.

The family will receive friends Thursday prior to the service from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. in the East Parlor of the funeral home.

The graveside committal service will be held Friday, at 2:00 P.M., in the Historic Site of Mountain Home National Cemetery, with honors being accorded by the Washington County Sheriff's Office Honor Guard. Those planning to attend are to meet at the funeral home by 1:30 P.M. to proceed to the cemetery.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of the V.A. Community Living Center Hospice for the excellent care given to Linc during his stay.

Those who prefer to make memorial contributions in-lieu-of flowers do so to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at stjude.org, or to the Washington County/Johnson City Animal Shelter at wcjcanimalshelter.org.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.appfh.net.

Appalachian Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 800 E. Watauga Ave., Johnson City, TN 37601, is honored to serve the Higgins family. (423)928-6111