Melinda "Meme" Higgs

Melinda “Meme” Higgs, 64, of Crimora, passed away on Saturday, July 18, 2026 at the Shenandoah Hospice House. She was born in Virginia on March 4, 1962 a daughter of the late Marie and Howard Padgett.

Meme worked as a machinist for MetFab for over 10 years. She loved being with her family. Meme loved being outdoors. Her favorite thing to do was sit outside by her fire pit and listening to the birds. She loved to hunt and being in the woods. She loved looking for deer and bears. Meme loved all animals, no matter the species. She loved picking on people, and making people laugh. She was always the life of the party. You could always find her sitting outdoors with a cigarette in her mouth and a coffee in her hand with her dog by her side.

In additions to her parents, she was preceded in death by her maternal and fraternal grandparents, sister, Donna McVey, and a very special family member/friend, Daniel Simmons.

Left to cherish her memory is her daughter, Jessica Rankin, granddaughter; Amber Rankin; grandson, Christopher Rankin; great granddaughter, Brylee Painter; sister, Kimberley Padgett; as well as numerous, nieces, great nieces, great nephews, special cousins, loving friends, and her special fur babies, Mickey and Stormi.

A celebration of life gathering will be held at 5pm on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at her home located at 243 Forest Chapel Ln., Crimora, VA.

The family wishes to express a special thank you to April Miller at Palliative Care, the nurses and staff at the Shenandoah House, and the nurses and staff with Augusta Health Hospice.

“Those people….”