Teresa J (Sommerville) Higgins

Teresa J. (Sommerville) Higgins was born October 8, 1963, in Dallas, Texas to Herbert L. Mathis and Charlene (Ray) Mathis, and passed away August 27, 2025, at Republic County Hospital at the age of 61.

On December 22, 1981, Teresa married Raymond Sommerville and to this union, three children were born. Alisha, Sarah, and Steve before divorcing in 2015, but remained good friends. She later remarried.

Teresa was a lifelong cook serving many communities in Texas and Kansas. She could be found cooking a great meal at the Golden Belle Haven Senior Center, the Bel-Villa Restaurant and the Belleville Health Care Center. Teresa loved to cook and could make most anything, but her favorite dish was chicken fried steak with all the fixings.

Teresa spent the first half of her life in Texas, later moving to Nebraska. In 1994, she and the family moved to Mahaska, KS, later making her final move to Belleville, KS in 2012.

Aside from cooking, Teresa loved to bake, write, fish, and photograph anything that interested her. Her overall pastime was attending the Renaissance Festival any chance she could. She would attend every year with her children and loved to dress up and be a part of the activities. 

Teresa is preceded in death by her ex-husband Raymond Sommerville.

She is survived by her mother Charlene Mathis of Belleville; son, Steve Sommerville of Denver, CO; daughters, Alisha Sommerville and Sarah Sibley both of Belleville, KS; brothers, Terry Mathis of Minneola, TX and Logan Callahan; and three grandchildren, Rosemary Sibley & Jasper Shelly; and Eric Sommerville.

The family will be conducting the service.

Celebration of Life Services will be held 10:00AM Saturday, September 13, 2025, at the Main Street Tabernacle with Pastor Mike Samples officiating. 

Memorials are to be designated at a later time and can be sent in care of Alisha Sommerville, PO Box 326, Belleville, KS 66935.

Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, KS is assisting the family with arrangements.

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