Cover photo for Nedra Jo  Higginson McRae's Obituary
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Nedra Jo Higginson McRae

January 11, 1948 — September 6, 2021

Nedra Jo Higginson McRae

Nedra Jo Higginson McRae passed away at the age of 73, on September 6th, 2021 at her home in Draper, Utah.

She was born in El Paso, Texas on January 11th, 1948 to Merilynn Juanita Cousins and Thomas Edward Higginson.

Nedra was a lifelong and faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints where she enjoyed serving in many and various callings.

In her youth, her father served in the U.S. Air Force. They were stationed many places, including Hawaii and Guam. She could recount many memories of those years; attending church in little grass huts and that no shoes were even required for the primary children. This is where she grew to love primary songs. She sang her favorites to her younger sisters, her children and to her grandchildren.

She married the love of her life on December 10th, 1989. They were later sealed in the Jordan River Temple on August 28th, 2006.

Nedra's love for music and singing inspired her to teach herself to play the guitar. While living in California during the 90's, her sultry alto voice landed her a "gig" in a small cafe in Diamond Bar. Her greatest joy, however, was singing in her ward choirs, with her family and serenading her husband.

She also loved traveling and learning about the places she visited. She and her sweetheart "took to the road" and gained a wealth of knowledge about the Pacific Northwest and South into Tijuana. Her most treasured trip was a journey with her husband back to her beloved Hawaii. In her senior years, Nedra served as a service missionary with her husband. Their mission completed while serving for the Salt Lake City Temple Visitation Center.

Nedra was an advocate for the underdog. And despite her shorter frame, she often stood up, very boldly, for those without a voice of their own.

Nedra was blessed with three children and nine step children. Through these children her posterity now includes 34 grand children and 9 great grandchilden. Nedra was preceded in death by her husband, Larry Jesse Gribble McRae, her parents, her daughter Stacia Matthews Decker, her brother, Larry Lynn Higginson and her sister, Connie Rhea Breitwiser (Burke).

She is survived by her daughter Traci Matthews Stewart, her son Ron Matthews; her step children: Troy McRae, Marty McRae, Melissa (Clay), Erik McRae, Rebecca (Fortner), Andrea (Meletiche), Megan Ashley ( Wright), Lindsay (Duncan), Cathi McRae; and her sisters: Elizabeth Ann (Slater), Pamela Leigh (Jaussi)

A viewing be held at:
Serenicare Funeral Home
Tuesday, September 14th
7pm to 8:30 pm
2281 South West Temple
South Salt Lake, Ut 84115

A Graveside service will follow on:
Wednesday, September 15th at 1pm
Riverton City Cemetary
1540 W 13200 S
Riverton, UT 84065

Special Thanks : The Caregivers and Chaplain Chris with Inspiration Home Health and Hospice - Their compassion and service made it possible for Nedra to pass peacefully with dignity in her own home. Heather and Troy Sornson and family. Dave and Diesel Pope. Bishop Shane Lewis, Andrew and Pamela Jaussi of Childress Texas.

Pall Bearers:
Ron Matthews
Marty McRae
Troy Sornson
Quint McCombs
Darrin Kimball
Kevin Short

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Nedra Jo Higginson McRae, please visit our flower store.

Past Services

Visitation

Tuesday, September 14, 2021

7:00 - 8:30 pm (Mountain time)

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Graveside Service

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

1:00 - 2:00 pm (Mountain time)

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