Greg McPhearson and Angel Higdon were high school sweethearts at Shades Valley High School in Birmingham, Alabama. They married in their early twenties and went on to have four children—Caroline, Ellie, John, and Adam. Together, they built a beautiful life, raising their children, spending time with family and friends, and being active in their community and church, Asbury United Methodist.
Ten years before his death, Greg was diagnosed with type 1A diabetes, an autoimmune form of diabetes he would struggle to manage for the rest of his life. In 2017, an upper respiratory infection made it increasingly difficult to regulate his blood sugar, and he was admitted to the hospital after being found unresponsive at home.
During those difficult days, Greg, Angel, and their children were surrounded by what Angel describes as “so much love.”
The hospital waiting room was filled with friends from every stage of their lives. All the relationships they had invested in came pouring back to them tenfold in their time of need. People brought food and games to entertain the children. There was laughter—something Greg would’ve loved. And the comforting presence of relationships built over a lifetime. Family and friends surrounded them with love, support, and encouragement.
Despite the excellent care Greg received from the medical team at Shelby Baptist Hospital, the time came when doctors told Angel there was nothing more they could do.
Years earlier, Greg and Angel talked about the possibility of becoming organ donors. In those early conversations, Greg wasn’t interested in registering as a donor. In encouraging Greg to become a donor and telling him what an important decision she thought it was, Angel teasingly told Greg that if he passed away first, she would say yes to donation on his behalf!
But when the time came for that conversation with medical staff about donation, Angel didn’t have to say yes for Greg. When Angel looked at his driver’s license, she realized Greg had chosen to say yes to becoming a donor all on his own.
Looking back on Greg’s final days, Angel remembers a theme that emerged during the heartbreak: “broken, but beautiful.”
She remembers the praise and worship music playing in his hospital room and how holy and sweet the moments were, even in the midst of profound sadness. She remembers how their family was held and supported by the people who loved them.
Those moments reflected so much of the life Greg had lived.
When Angel thinks about Greg’s life, she remembers his witty sense of humor and his gift for making people laugh. Greg loved playing bass in the praise band at church and volunteering in the community. He loved music and cheering for Alabama football.
Greg’s favorite band was an indie rock band called the Futurebirds. Greg had followed the band so closely through the years that three of the band members attended his funeral.
Greg had an uncanny memory for TV and film trivia and memorized countless scenes from the Andy Griffith Show and his favorite movies. He stayed connected with longtime friends and cared deeply about the people around him.
Above all, Greg loved his family.
His oldest daughter, Caroline, remembers a father who made relationships a priority.
“He was always present. I could always go to him and bounce ideas off him and talk with him about what was going on in my life. I could vent to him because he was a safe space for me.”
She remembers the small, thoughtful gestures that made her father so special, including the notes he would put in their lunchboxes as children.
“He was intentional in his relationships, and connecting with others was important to him. I had a relationship with my dad that was full of quality. I just wish there’d been more quantity.”
Greg’s life was filled with those everyday expressions of love—the conversations, laughter, music, friendships, and countless small moments that together created a beautiful life.
Greg was a giver throughout his life. And at the end of his life, he gave one final gift through organ, eye, and tissue donation.
For Angel and their children, there is great solace in knowing that Greg lives on. Through his decision to donate, others have been given opportunities for improved quality of life, and the gift of sight.
Angel describes them as a “proud donor family.”
“We know that Greg would be so proud, too.”
November is Eye Donation Month
Greg’s decision to become a donor is one example of the lasting impact eye donation can have. Learn more about Eye Donation Month and how you can help raise awareness about the need for cornea donors. When you’re ready to take the next step, visit RegisterMe.org to register as a donor.