Dr. Cleo Mildred Surry Higgins , the only child of the late Mancy Lawyer Surry and the late Jacqueline Kohlheim, was born August 25, 1923, in Memphis, Tennessee. She transitioned from this earth to be with the Lord in the heavenly realms on Thursday, May 19, 2022. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. William Henry Higgins, Jr.

Cleo Mildred Surry grew up and attended elementary schools in Tennessee, Arkansas, and Illinois. Much of the foundation for her life and philosophy was laid in the early years of her childhood as a reader of "papers" and reciter of poems, and a Sunday school student. The church, school, and high ideals were the main forces on her life during those formative years, inspired by a wise, religious, and gentlemanly maternal grandfather and a demanding grandmother who, though she hardly completed elementary school, taught the child the imagination of Greek myths, the orals of Aesop's fables and the constellations in the sky. Cleo was always an avid and prolific reader, completing the several volumes of Edgar Rice Burrough's Tarzan of the Apes and a treasured book of Norse mythology by the time she was six years old.

Upon finishing high school in Chicago in 1940, Cleo matriculated at LeMoyne College in Memphis, Tennessee, from where she moved to Florida as an intern teacher at Fessenden Academy (Martin, FL). Her characteristic and exhibited versatility resulted in her being assigned duties of basketball coaching along with intern-teaching of English and Social Studies. It was upon bringing Fessenden's girls basketball team to Daytona Beach to play Roosevelt High School of West Palm Beach in 1944 that she met and was inextricably impressed by Mrs. Mary McLeod Bethune, then President of Bethune-Cookman College (B-CC).

In 1945, she earned the Ph.M. degree in English from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Following graduation from the University of Wisconsin at Madison in June 1945, Cleo elected to work at B-CC for much less salary offered by two other available teaching opportunities. In September 1945, she became a protégé of Mrs. Bethune and committed anew to a life of achievement and service to others—characteristics which she emulated in her role model. As a protégé of Dr. Bethune, she also worked closely with the National Council of Negro Women. In 1956, she was the first faculty member to be awarded The Mary McLeod Bethune Medallion for Service and Achievement.

Cleo's life since 1945 was largely centered in Daytona Beach, but she continued her educational pursuits, at many points, against the odds. In 1973, she earned the Ph.D. in English with a minor in Educational Administration and Communications from the University of Wisconsin at Madison with the honor of "Scholar in English".

Dr. Higgins' career in education extended over 43 years. Although she spent the majority of her career at B-CC, she also taught at Central Academy High School (Palatka, FL), St. Johns River Community College (Palatka, FL), and participated in special teaching assignments at Seabreeze High School (Daytona Beach, FL), Stetson University (DeLand, FL), and the University of Florida (Gainesville, FL). At B-CC, she served in several positions and roles such as the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty (1978-86); acting Dean and Director, Continuing Education Program (1977-86); chair of the Division of Humanities; chair of the English Department; and instructor of English. Dr. Higgins founded the B-CC Beta Iota Sigma Chapter of the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority in 1948 instituting Greek life on campus. Her tireless efforts at B-CC included designing the B-CC logo (Head, Heart, and Hand) in 1947-48; authoring the original B-CC Mission Statement; implementing the Faculty Honors and Award Program which spotlighted faculty that achieved highest honors in teaching, research, and community service; implementing the Student Recognition Programs; and directing the B-CC Verse Speaking Chorus. Upon her retirement in 1986, Dr. Higgins had the distinction of having served under all four college presidents.

After retirement, Dr. Higgins pursued her love of teaching and service by volunteering in local schools and nearby communities helping churches, institutions, and organizations in their learning, academic support, student services, and rehabilitative programs and activities. A recognized scholar and innovative educational leader, she was sought after as a speaker and honored by community groups and organizations. Bethune-Cookman University awarded her the status of Distinguished Professor Emerita, created the Dr. Cleo S. Higgins Scholarship, and dedicated a space in the B-CU Library Archives to house her papers, awards, and other mementos of the University.

Dr. Higgins was a member and former national president of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority. She was also a member of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW); National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); charter member of the Daytona Beach Chapter of Links, Inc.; University of Wisconsin Alumni Association; an honorary member of the B-CU National Alumni Association; and a member of numerous professional and community organizations. She was a member of the Emmanuel United Methodist Church (Palatka, FL), and she later joined the Stewart Memorial United Methodist Church (Daytona Beach, FL).

She is survived by two sons, Kyle Everett Higgins, Sean Craig Higgins, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and a host of friends who provided companionship and loving care for her in the declining years of her life. Dr. Higgins wrote Determination, persistence, altruism, and integrity formed the guidelines for achievement and service in the life of Dr. Cleo S. Higgins. She always received much from others and has found that gift to be bountifully multiplied as she has sought to inspire others.