Kathleen Louise Randall Higgs passed away February 5, 2026, at the age of 83. Kathleen passed away in Huntsville, Alabama, after a long struggle with Parkinson's disease.

Kathleen is survived by her three children: Alan Higgs of San Luis Obispo, California, Derek Higgs of Huntsville, Alabama and Alena Dooner of Pacific Grove, California; six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; and her siblings Frederick
Randall and Joanne Birch.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Peter Higgs; brother Richard Randall; and parents, Robert Randall and Barbara Coates Randall.

The oldest of four children born to Robert Randall and Barbara Coates Randall, Kathleen was born in Detroit, Michigan. She grew up in Royal Oak, Michigan, and married Peter L. Higgs on March 26, 1964. After completing their respective college educations, Kathleen and Peter moved
overseas with their young family in 1971 to begin long careers in Africa. They lived in Zambia, Malawi, Namibia and Ethiopia where Peter worked for UNESCO.

Kathleen was a devoted and active member of the Baha'i Faith. She dedicated years of service to her religious community wherever she lived. Her life was guided by the Baha'i principles of equality and unity.
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As the mother of three children, she was adventurous and creative. She was a feminist, an animal lover, an artist, an avid reader and a dreamer. Her curiosity and passion for life were contagious and live on in her kids today. While living in Zambia, Kathleen became an English teacher at Libala Boys Secondary School. She also dedicated her time to take on administrative jobs within the Lusaka Baha'i community.

In 1981, the family moved to Malawi where Kathy became one of the first to acquire a gemstone export license from the Malawian government. She established a small artisanal gemstone mining company, Ridwan Stones. Her love of gemology would continue long after her business closed and if you knew Kathleen, you likely had at least one of her crystals somewhere in your house. She would have been a materials
engineer if she had grown up when women were freer to make their own educational decisions.

After twenty-five years in Africa, Kathleen and Peter decided to move back to Michigan for early retirement. Living quietly in Alma, Michigan, Kathleen became Peter's primary caregiver when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Soon after his death, Kathleen was diagnosed with Parkinson's which prompted another move and this time to North Carolina where she lived with her son and daughter-in-law. Kathleen's final
adventure then took her to Huntsville, Alabama where she spent her last few years.

She was a loving mother and faithful wife, intelligent and funny, and was loved by all who knew her. We will all miss her dearly.

Pitani bwino, Amai Kathleen.

Berryhill Funeral Home assisted the family.