Ellen Shuford Biggs Ellen Shuford BIGGS, 83, passed away Sunday, June 29, 2014, at her home in Brevard, North Carolina. Ellen was born in Ocean City, New Jersey on August 22, 1930, to the late Richard Harvey Shuford and Bertha Woolever Shuford. A graduate of Hickory High School and the Woman's College of the University of North Carolina (Greensboro), Ellen was a housewife and loving mother, a teacher of English literature at Hickory High School, and co-owner of a bookstore in Hickory (The Follies). She had a zest for life, enriched the lives of those around her, and was passionate about the arts, international affairs and social justice. Ellen is survived by her brother Dr. Richard Harvey Shuford Jr. of Greenwood, South Carolina, her children William Cowan Biggs of Greensboro, Anna Biggs Nelson (Gregg Nelson) of Brevard and David James Biggs (Dr. Grace Biggs) of Purchase, New York, and grandchildren William Brett Nelson, Elizabeth Chase Nelson, Lucas Atticus Biggs and Gabriel Jackson Biggs. She was pre-deceased by her husband of ten months, William Norman Cowan Jr. (82nd Airborne, Fort Bragg), her husband of forty-nine years, James Elbert Biggs Jr. of Brevard, and her brother Harry Woolever Shuford of Athens Georgia. No services are planned pursuant to Ellen's request; the family intends to hold a private ceremony. Memorials may be given in Ellen's name to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF (https://www.unicefusa.org/donate). On line condolences may be left at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com Moody-Connolly Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.