Last Thursday, January 23, 2008, my mother took her dogs for a walk on a very cold rainy day.  During that walk, something happened and she got lost.

 

Despite the heroic efforts of dozens of law enforcement and rescue personnel, my cousins Ricky and Billy Rogers, and my sister Deanna Holler and her husband Joe Holler, she wasn't found until Friday, and by then it was too late.

 

My mother was born September 5, 1934, and graduated from Sinton High School in Sinton, Texas in 1953. After her graduation, she worked as a telephone operator.  One of her friends introduced her to a young man that my mom said was the silliest guy she had ever met, a total showoff and a big joker.

 

That man was Bennie William Heggins, my dad.  She married my dad on Halloween of 1953, after knowing each other for a very short time--he always claimed it was 2 weeks, but she told me it was more like a month.  They were married 52 years, until his death in 2006.

 

During their lives together, they raised five daughters, all of whom survive them.  From the oldest to the youngest:  Belinda Hazel Heggins Aguilar, Brenda Kay Heggins Bryant, Deanna Louise Heggins Holler, Teresa Leah Heggins Walker, and myself, Kelly Denis Heggins Schlenker, and our respective spouses, children, and grandchildren.  My mother is also survived by her brother, Leland Jauer, Jr. and his wife Rita Gay Jauer of Houston, Texas, and their daughter.  My mother is also survived by several of her in-laws, including Marion and Joyce Heggins of Houston.  There are others, but please excuse me if I forget them at this time.

 

A memorial service will be held at Rancho La Leona East at 11 AM on February 2, 2008; if her ashes are ready, her cremains will also be scattered at that time.