I n Loving Memory of Dorothy Higgins Anderson

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Dorothy Ray Higgins Anderson, who was born on May 13th, 1930 in Chase City, Va., and departed this world peacefully on November 18, 2025, in her home in Vero Beach, FL., surrounded by her four daughters Jean Marie, Janet Rose, Betty Grace and Deborah Louise. She touched the lives of everyone fortunate enough to know her, leaving behind a legacy of love, kindness, and joy.

Dorothy was known for her unwavering compassion and tireless dedication to family and friends, and to all her fur babies she sat for.  Whether it was lending a helping hand, sharing a heartfelt conversation, or simply offering a warm smile, Dorothy left a lasting impact on all who crossed her path. She never met a stranger.

Dorothy is survived by her daughters Jean Lahren (Jack), Janet Johnson (Forrest), Betty Howard (the late Frank Howard), Deborah Smith (David), grandchildren Ken Collins (Jill), Clayt Hennessee (Uliana), Scott Currie (Jewel), Boyce Hundley (Tess), Alexandra Smith (Sean), Jessica Smith, twelve  great grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren, as well as two half-sisters Joyce Nelson, Patti Pesket, and half-brother Edwin Higgins, all who will carry forward her memory and cherish the moments shared together. Dorothy was preceded in death by her beloved husband Woodrow William Anderson, her sister Alberta Bowman, and her parents Albert and Leola Mae Dize Higgins.

On a trip to Ireland, Dorothy was moved by a passage from a Carmelite Monastery in Tallow County Waterford, Ireland and her wishes were to share this:

Death is nothing at all… I have only slipped away into the next room. Whatever we were to each other, that we are still. Call me by my old familiar name, speak to me in the easy way which you always used to. Laugh as we always laughed together, play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without effort. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was. There is absolutely unbroken continuity. Why should I be out of your mind because I am out of your sight? I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner. All is well. Nothing is passed; nothing is lost. One brief moment and all will be as it was before… only better, infinitely happier and forever. We will be all one together with God.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, November 28th, at 2:00 PM at Crestlawn Cemetery in Vero Beach, FL., followed by a Celebration of Life gathering at The Service Alley Restaurant (formerly Kelly's Irish Pub) at Miracle Mile Plaza, 21st Street Vero Beach.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to VNA Hospice of Indian River County, Inc, and/or Humane Society of Vero Beach.

Dorothy will be deeply missed but never forgotten. Her spirit will live on in the hearts of all who loved her, and she will continue to inspire generations to come not only by her spirit, but from her own words in her published book Let Me Get My Hat. Dorothy is now on her final journey home.

Arrangements are under the direction of Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home.

An online guestbook is available at CoxGiffordSeawinds.com