Shelvie Terry-Higgs

Gobbie's service will be live streamed starting at 11am on S.L. McLaughlin Funeral Home Facebook page and S.L. McLaughlin YouTube page.

On May 5, 2024 Shelvie Jean Terry-Higgs passed away at her home in Albany, New York. Shelvie was affectionately known as Gobbie and Sister 21. She received her name Gobbie from her late oldest granddaughter Sheneka Stumon because she was unable to say Grandma and called her Gobbie.

Gobbie was born on March 27, 1942 in Halifax, Virginia to the late Hubbard Garnett and Mary Nannie Terry. Her family relocated to the Albany, New York area in 1949. She was educated in the Albany School System and attended Man Power Training Center where she obtained her LPN Nursing Degree. She worked for several years at Capital District Psychiatric Center in Albany, NY and various other places. She found Christ at Christian Memorial COGIC under the leadership of her late brother, Dr. Charles D. Guthrie. She served in various positions at church such as, Pastor’s Aide, YWCC President, and was famously known for her youth Time Out Sleepovers.

Gobbie was known in Ida Yarborough for the “sweetest Kool-Aid” ices and the candy lady. She was a true hustler. While attending Consecration Temple COGIC in Schenectady, NY, Gobbie met and married Alphonso Higgs on December 18, 1999.

Gobbie was a member of the Kindred Spirits group. Her favorite restaurant was Ted’s Fish Fry and two of her favorite songs were “Just another day that the Lord has kept me” and “Every time I turn around, the Lord keeps blessing me.”

Gobbie is predeceased by her parents, Hubbard Garnett and Mary Nannie Terry; granddaughters, Sheneka Stumon (Devon) and Shannon Ford; sister, Jearlean (Mickey) Terry; and brother, Dr. Charles D. Guthrie (Florine). She leaves to cherish her three children, Shelly Ford of Albany, NY, Stacy McNeil of Albany, NY, Stephon Leigh of Greensboro, NC; Eight grandchildren, Scharry Ford, Winthrop Ford, Stephanie Ford, Trevor Ford (Amel), Stephon Leigh Jr, Marquis McNeil, Markus Ford and Shelly Ford; Twelve great grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter; Five sisters, Florine (Sue) Johnson (Bishop McKinley), Estelle (Babysis) Jacobs, Angela Bess (William), Barbara McLaughlin (Herbert), Lynda Jones (Johnathan); One brother, William Guthrie (Jeannie).

Gobbie’s testimony was she only came to fill a pew, but she raised above, her spirit anew. Her heart was light, her soul was bright, in worship, she took flight.

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