Ella Grace Bledsoe Higgins Cousins was born July 19, 1924 in Bomarton, Texas, to Tom and Doma Bledsoe. She soon moved with her family to Seymour.

Following graduation, Ella Grace married George W. Higgins, Jr.. and became the devoted mother to daughters, Julia (Judy) and Georgann. Ella Grace stepped into one of her happiest roles, that of being grandmother to Greg and Jason Hardin. In later years her pride and joy had been her great-granddaughters, Kayla, Georgia and Haley.

Following her early years as a dedicated housewife, Ella Grace chose to step out into the corporate world. She began her new professional adventure as a dormitory hostess for student nurses at Hendrick Memorial Hospital in Abilene. soon after, she moved to Dallas to be a medical records clerk for St. Paul Hospital, and then an admittance clerk for Brookhaven Hospital. After leaving the hospital setting, Ella Grace accepted a position as a claims examiner for Blue Cross and Blue Shield, which was followed by a position as Service Director for Homemaker Upjohn, then an Aging Field Coordinator for Nortex Regional Planning Commission. Her final position was with Farmers Union Development Association Senior Texas Employment Program where she served as a field supervisor working throughout the state of Texas for over 25 years.

In addition to her various roles, Ella Grace served as a board member for the following organizations: Meals on Wheels, Crime Stoppers, American Heart Association, and the Baylor County Museum, where she served as president for one year.

Along with career and community involvement, Ella Grace found love for the second time, when she met and married Bob Cousins. They built a life that lasted until his passing in 2001.

Ella Grace was a member of the Methodist Church, Methodist Women, and Order of the Eastern Star. She was often found working with youth and senior citizens of her community, serving as a 4-H Club leader, helping organize the 4-H Horse Club, and serving as chairman and volunteer for many years for both the polio and cancer fund drives in Baylor County, and served on the Homecoming Committee. She was also a member of the Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. Bob and Ella Grace were also patrons of the Texas Ranger Association Foundation.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Doma Bledsoe, brothers and sisters, Bud Bledsoe, Rowena Coffman, Henry Hoss Bledsoe and Alta Bess Ratliff. Grace is survived by daughters, Julia Hardin and Georgann Higgins; grandsons, Greg Hardin and wife, Brooke, and Jason Hardin and wife, Robin; great-granddaughters, Kayla Hardin, Haley Pack and Georgia Hardin.

Her family wants to extend special thanks to Stonebridge Assisted Living and all family and friends. Graveside committal services will be held at 9:30 A.M. Wednesday at the Seymour Masonic Cemetery, with services following at 11 A.M. at the First United Methodist Church, with Dr. Lewis Holland and Rev. Ryan Ford officiating.

Visitation will be at 6 P.M. Tuesday evening at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Seymour Volunteer Fire Department, the First United Methodist Church in Seymour, or the Esteem Hospice.

Pallbearers will be John Mooney, Bob Elliott, Kim Martin, Doug Dixon, Jerry Jeanes and Mack Hardin.