Gennalee “Genny” Higgins was born on March 5, 1939, to Thomas and Ersa (Burton) Higgins in Salyersville, Kentucky. Her early years were spent in Kentucky until the family moved to Rodeo, California, where she lived in war housing. When she was seven years old, her sister Sharon was born. She had a happy childhood, was very involved in her schools and was a majorette in the marching band at John Swett High School in Crockett, California. She also played the flute. She graduated in 1957 and then went away to Chico State University in Chico, California. She had a life-long love of horses, and she worked on a dude ranch during her college summers. She was voted Homecoming Queen and earned her Bachelors of Arts degree as well as her teaching credential.

She met her future husband, Darwin Music, when he was in the Air Force and stationed at Travis Air Force Base. A friend from the base introduced them at church. After completing her studies at Chico State, she married Darwin on December 22, 1961, at Mather Air Force Base. They enjoyed 36 years of marriage. 

In 1965, they welcomed daughter Jennifer Lynn and eleven months later they welcomed son Jeffrey Darwin. Being a mother was deeply fulfilling to Genny, and she often fondly reflected on her years at home raising her young children. 

About five years after her children were born, the family of four relocated to Darwin’s hometown of Baxley, Georgia, the first of two separate years spent in that area to be near his family. However, they eventually returned to California and put down deep roots in Rancho Cordova.

Genny’s life with her growing family was active and engaged with boating, entertaining, camping, square dancing, and working in Accounts Payable at The Campbell Soup Company. At age 55, she received the Campbell Soup Golden Handshake, an early retirement option that allowed her to spend more time doing the things she enjoyed. Her days were joyfully full of church involvement, bowling, playing cards, reading, enjoying the sunshine, gardening and canning, being a landlord, and drawing plans for her dream house back on their 40 acres in Georgia. During this time, she also helped Sharon care for their mother through her journey with Alzheimer’s. Genny’s hands were never idle.

In 1996, Genny became a grandmother when Joshua Jeffrey was born, and again one year later when granddaughter Monica Grace was born. Genny adored her grandchildren and loved to play with them around a hearty fire in the winter and around the swimming pool in the summer. She traveled often to visit them in Arizona and Texas to watch their games and performances. She was their most devoted fan.

When she was 58 years old, Genny lost her husband suddenly and unexpectedly. As with every season of her life, Genny navigated grief and widowhood with faith, purpose and friendship. She spent lots of time with her church girlfriends, both serving and having fun together. She made many memorable trips with Jennifer, and she warmly retold those memories of just the two of them exploring new places and visiting old friends together.

In 2008, she was surprised and thrilled to see her family grow again with the birth of another grandson, Justin Robert. Genny enjoyed several more years of watching her grandchildren grow up, traveling, having fun with friends, being an avid fan of the Sacramento Kings and continuing to serve at First Baptist Church Rancho Cordova in every way she could. At church she assumed various roles over the years: nursery director, helping prepare Wednesday night dinners, arranging flowers, singing in the choir, visiting the sick, and planning all kinds of special events. 

In 2015, Genny moved to Golden Pond Assisted Living where she, once again, embraced change with grace and generosity. She served as a “Golden Ambassador” with a small committee of others who helped welcome new residents. She attended fun gatherings and continued to enjoy her independence.

In 2020, Genny moved to Oakmont for memory care. Being at Oakmont allowed her to live close to Jennifer, her main caregiver and best friend. She was always accompanied by her beloved soft teddy bear, Mr. San Francisco, and she enjoyed the companionship of her roommate, Maria. She was especially happy when Jennifer’s golden retriever, Henry, would come to visit. Genny had a lifelong love for animals which she passed on to all her family. She loved all kinds of animals even once watching over a family of possums that had taken up residence in her garage.

At Oakmont, Genny continued to be as active as possible including enjoying musical guests and dancing. She once fell while dancing and when the paramedics came, she tried to dance with them to prove she was fine. She remembered the lyrics to old songs into her final days. 

Her last days on this earth were spent in her Oakmont home surrounded by the sights and sounds of those she loved. She listened to music, Scripture, the sound of ocean waves, and the gentle voices of those honored to receive her care over the decades. 

Genny passed away peacefully on Monday morning, November 4, 2024, ending her long journey with Alzheimer’s disease. She was 85 years old.

A woman of warmth, compassion, kindness and grace, she will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Her Christian faith was truly the foundation of her life, and she was a woman of prayer. She loved the Lord wholeheartedly, and she looked forward to being with Him and her husband when her work on earth was done. Her life reflected her faith in God and hope in everlasting life. As she wrote on her grave marker, she found hope and strength in knowing that “Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal.” 

She is preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Ersa Higgins and her husband, Darwin Music. 

Genny is survived by sister Sharon (Tom) Taylor of Nevada City, CA, daughter Jennifer Music of Sacramento, CA, son Jeff (April) Music of Princeton, TX, grandchildren Josh (Jordan) Music of McKinney, TX, Monica Music (Dylan) O’Shell of Durham, NC, Justin Music of Princeton, TX, and great-grandson Davison Joshua “DJ” Music of McKinney, TX as well as many beloved nieces, nephews and friends.

Genny’s life will be celebrated at a graveside ceremony on Friday, June 13, 2025, at 1:30pm at Camellia Memorial Lawn in Sacramento.