Obituary of Sarah Ellen VanPelt Higley

Sarah Ellen VanPelt Higley, died peacefully December 17, 2023. She was the youngest of five children born to Annie Huffingham and Arthur VanPelt on June 19, 1939 in Jacksonville Fl. Sarah is survived by her daughter, Robin Spears, son Wayne Rickard Jr., two granddaughters and one great granddaughter, one brother and many nieces and nephews. Sarah graduated from Englewood High School in 1958, the first year the school was open. She met and married a navy man, Wayne Rickard, Sr. During their marriage they lived in Tennessee (twice), Pensacola, Virginia Beach (3 times),Washington state, and Keflavik, Iceland. They divorced October 23, 1985 after 4 years of separation. On October 23, 1994 she married Robert Higley, a former Englewood classmate, who died December 2008. They enjoyed travel, grandchildren and their life in Jacksonville together. Her many hobbies included sewing, crafting, needlepoint, crocheting, playing cards, completing puzzles and vacationing at Sanibel Island to collect seashells. She was a member of Glendale Community Church since 1978 and as a child growing up in Jacksonville. Her memorial service will be held there Thursday, December 28 at 2pm.