Lee Vern Higgins Dove

Lee Vern Dove departed this life on April 10, 2018 at the age of 75. She was born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas on March 6, 1943 to Ruth and Henry Higgins. She was one of 10 children born from this union. In 1957, she was one of the classmates of the "Arkansas 9" of Dunbar Junior High School who successfully integrated the all white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, the basis of the movie Crisis at Central High. Her leadership and strength was evident early in life as she dropped out of school to help her mother take care of the house and all of the rest of her siblings. She is a born nurturer. She met the love of her life and later married Joseph C. Dove on April 24. 1961. She then left her home in Little Rock to come to New Orleans and start a life with Joseph and her first born son Reginald in May of 1962. Lee would always share stories with her family about being a chronic "day dreamer". She would dream about having a better life and opportunities to grow and better herself. Those dreams ultimately painted a clear picture for Lee to recognize and seize those opportunities when they presented themselves. Despite starting a family at the age of 18 and having 3 children by the age of 23, Lee started to invest in her future and her family's well being by enrolling in a L. E. Rabouin and completing her GED 6/8/1970. She then went on become a Licensed Practical Nurse on 4/7/1976 and worked at Mercy Hospital for 13 years. At that time, Lee decided that she wanted more. So, at the mature age of 40, while working full time and raising a family, she applied and was accepted into the nursing program at Charity School of Nursing and became a Registered Nurse on 7/12/1983. She later went on to complete her BSN at the University of Phoenix. Lee Dove loved nursing. Instead of retiring to sit back, relax, and enjoy the fruits of her long career, Lee preferred much more to continue working into her 70's because nursing brought her much joy and it didn't feel like work because nursing was what she was born to do. She never, ever quit nursing. She simply reached the finish line. In contrast to her outward sophistication and class, Lee was most comfortable at her home with her family. She valued family over everything. Her magic in the kitchen can not be defined or articulated. She believed in healthy and wholesome meals. Lee would even opt to stay home and prepare a home cooked meal from scratch rather than go to a fancy restaurant, even on someone else's dime. Lee would often spend the entire day working in her many home gardens, indoor and outdoor. Although she enjoyed the beauty that her efforts produced, the garden was much more to Lee. It was her refuge, her escape, her way get away from the stresses of the world. One neighbor once noted that he observed my mother in the garden working early one morning as he walked his son to the bus stop for school. When he went to meet his son at the bus stop after school, 8 hours later, Lee was still working in the Garden. She confessed that she never went back into the house for lunch, water, nor a break. Lee' s other passions included shopping, and home decorating. Lee inspired many with her drive and dedication to succeed. She did all that she did while being impeccably dressed with the brightest and most beautiful smile that would light up any room. Lee was a phenomenal woman. She surpassed all expectations of anyone who knew her and her challenges. So much so, people who knew her came to to expect nothing less than excellence. As per their wedding day, Lee and Joseph were 2 weeks from celebrating 57 years of marriage at the time of her passing. She will be greatly missed. Lee Dove was the wife of Joseph Conrad Dove. Daughter of Ruth and Henry Higgins. Mother of Reginald Kevin Dove, Jason Conrad Dove, and Monica Renee’ Dove. She is survived by, Robert Joe Higgins, Donald R. Higgins, and Doris Jean Higgins. She was preceded in death by one sister, Louise Higgins and 6 brothers, Albert Higgins, Denis Higgins, Eddie Higgins, Lawrence Ray Higgins, Wallace Higgins, and Henry Higgins. She is also survived by 3 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Relatives and friends of the family, employees of Mercy Hospital, Hotel Dieu Hospital, Methodist Hospital, Charity Hospital, Lakeland Hospital, Davita Dialysis Clinic, Fresenius Medical Care, and University Medical Center are all invited to attend the Funeral and Celebration of life at D.W. Rhodes Chapel, 3933 Washington Ave, New Orleans, Louisiana 70125 on Saturday April 21, 2018 at 1:00 pm. Visitation will begin at 12:00 pm. Interment: Lakelawn Metairie Cemetery. Arrangements by D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home, 3933 Washington Ave. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com to sign the guestbook.