Billie Elizabeth Higgins, a reporter for the Southeast Missourian for many years and native of the former Lutesville, died Friday, April 10, 1998, in Columbia. She was 92.

She was born Sept. 15, 1905, in Lutesville, daughter of William Lorance and Beulah Katherine Henry Abernathy. She married James A. Higgins on May 14, 1923. He died June 22, 1962.

She attended Will Mayfield College.

She and her husband were active in Lutesville community affairs, and she was a member of the Lutesville United Methodist Church.

She moved to Columbia in 1959 and worked on the information desk at the University of Missouri Hospital from 1963 to 1973.

She is survived by a son, James W. Higgins of Festus; a daughter, Mickie H. Jenkins of Columbia; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a daughter and two sons.

Arrangements are under the direction of Parker Funeral Service in Columbia. Services will be held at a later date in Marble Hill.