Mississippi Obituaries

Marriage and Death Records from Tate County, MS Newspapers 1880 - 1908 by Betty Arnold Loftiss 03/20/1885

Permelia A. Higginbotham Thornton (1814-1885) GA/MS

Mrs. Permelia Thornton died March 12, 1885 and was born December 16, 1814 in Elbert County, GA. She professed religion in her 16th year of age and joined the Baptist Church. Permelia is buried at the Eavenson Graveyard near Georgia Ridge, Tate County, MS.

The Roanoke Leader 03/17/1913

John T. Higginbotham (????-1913) MS

Mrs. Homer Wilson was called to West Point last Thursday by the death of her uncle, Chief of Police John T. Higginbotham.

The Roanoke Leader 04/02/1913

William L. Higginbotham (1853-1913) MS

After long months of illness, Mr. W. L. Higginbotham died at his home in this city last Friday. The deceased was 62 years of age, employed by Central Lumber Company, a member of the Methodist Church, leaves a wife and one grown son, also a little orphan girl, the daughter of the late Ben G. Larkin, who has been cared for in the home.

Blytheville (AR) Courier News 03/26/1932

Rebecca Higginbotham (ca1922-1932) MS

Nora Higginbotham (ca1926-1932) MS

Investigate Drowning of Mississippi Girls

Anguilla, Miss., Mar. 26-Investigation of the drowning of two small girls, 6 and 10 years old, which closed yesterday to permit burial, may be reopened at any time.

B.S. Jones, justice of the peace, told the United Press today the girls, Rebecca and Nora Higginbotham, drowned in a drainage ditch about 10 miles east of here near the farm of their father, Randolph Higginbotham. Jones said physicians examined the girls bodies and found no mark of violence. He said officers accepted the man's version of the accident, that he heard screams of the children but was unable to reach them. The three had been fishing.

Centralia (WA) Daily Chronicle 09/18/1935

Elwood Higginbotham (ca1907-1935) MS

Lynched While Jurors Ponder

Negro Murder Defendant Taken from Jail by Mississippi Mob and Executed

Oxford, Miss., Sept. 18-Elwood Higginbotham, negro defendant in a murder Trial here, was taken from the Lafayette county jail last night by a mob and lynched.

Higginbotham was seized and hanged while the jury was deliberating his case. He was on trial for the slaying of Lyn Roberts, a white man, last May.

Officers estimated that between 100 and 150 persons were in the mob.

The leaders demanded the jail keys, and when a jailer named Pritchard refused to comply with their demands, they took charge and searched the jailer’s office.

When the jailer refused to identify keys to the negro’s cell from a number found in his desk, the mob became violent and began breaking in doors.

Reaching the door to the negro’s cell, the mob discovered one of the keys would unlock the door.

Higginbotham, 28 years old, was dragged from the cell, screaming, and placed in a waiting car outside. A large crowd milled around the jail as the negro was being seized, and followed the mob leaders out of town to a lonely countryside road where the victim was hanged to a tree.

Later in the night, Sheriff S.T. Lyles and three deputies went to the scene and cut down the body.

Officers said no members of the mob were identified.

Times Post 10/29/1959

Jo Ann Higginbotham Nabors (1880-1959) MS

Mrs. Jake Nabors Dies Here

Mrs. Jo Ann Nabors, wife of the Rev. Jake Nabors, died at her home in Houston at 7:15 am, Wednesday following an illness of 17 weeks. She was 79. Funeral arrangements were incomplete Wednesday afternoon. Services will be held Friday afternoon at the Thorn Church of God with burial in the Houston Cemetery. Norman Funeral Home is in charge. Pallbearers will be nephews of the deceased. The Rev. Mr. Lombard and the Rev. Flenoy Clark will officiate. Mrs. Nabors was born in Clay county May 12, 1880, the daughter of Joe Edward Higginbotham and Delia Higginbotham. She was a member of the Thorn Church of God. Besides her husband, she leaves a daughter, Mrs. Tishie Bell Lewis of Houston, and a son, Joe Nabors of Houston; two sisters, Mrs. Savilla Moore and Mrs. Jeanette Hamby, both of Houston; seven brothers, George, Ed, Virgie, Burean, Jack and Bill Higginbotham, all of Houston and Joe Higginbotham of Memphis, Tenn. Four grandsons a granddaughter and one great granddaughter also survive. 

Laurel Leader-Call 01/04/1960

Melvin Sylvester Higginbotham (1888-1960) MS

Traffic accidents killed five Mississippians over the New Year's holiday period and a sixth drowned.

M.S. Higginbotham, 72-year-old Water Valley Man was hit by a car and killed while walking along State Route 32 west of Bruce last night...

09/14/1963

Margie Gray Higginbotham (1936-1963) MS

On Sept. 13th, 1963 at about 7:10 p.m., God called home Margie Gray Higginbotham. Margie was 26 years old and born on October 7th, 1936. She was survived by husband Rush and daughter Connie, mother and father Mr. and Mrs. Willis Gray of Washington , Miss.; six brothers, Leroy, Robert, Clarence, Alton, Hubert and David. Two sisters, Mrs. W. A. Breithupand Mrs. Eddie Benito.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. from the Washington Baptist Church with burial to follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park. Pallbearers are Lon Booker Jr., John A McGuire, H.D. Porter, R.C. Brewer, M.D. Nettles and E.W. Mooney.

Houston Times Post 06/25/1964

Flora Blansett Higginbotham (1913-1964) MS

Mrs. Higginbotham Dies in Memphis

Funeral services for Mrs. Jack Higginbotham, 50, who died at the Baptist Hospital, Memphis, at 8:55 am, June 18, were conducted from the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ at 10 am, Saturday. The Rev. R V Mathis officiated. Burial was in the Wesley Chapel Cemetery with Houston Funeral Home in charge. Mrs. Higginbotham, the former Miss Flora Blansett, daughter of Harve and Katie Norwood Blansett, resided with her family on Highway 15, North of Houston. She was born June 20 1913, and was a member of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. She leaves her husband, Jack Higginbotham of Houston; five daughters, Mrs. Kathryn Shuler, Mrs. Eardale Foster, Mrs. Ruby Joyce Long, and Mrs. Melba Griffin, all of Houston, and Mrs. Maxine Winsett of Vardaman; five brothers, Walter and Bill Blansett, both of Houston, Ricey Blansett of West Point, Aron Blansett and Quitman Blansett, both of Pheba; two sisters, Mrs. Loma Walters and Mrs. Ida Clemons of Houston and eight grandchildren. Pallbearers were: Billy Ray Higginbotham, Kenneth Higginbotham, Billy Dean Blansett, J D Walters and Claud Brasfield.

Greenville (MS) Delta Democrat-Times 06/07/1972

Clarence Hickenbottom (ca1897-1972) MS

Clarence Hickenbottom, 75, of 413 Persimmon St., Greenville, died Monday at the Washington County General Hospital after an illness.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Dillon-Steverson Funeral Home chapel of Greenville with the Rev. T.R. Clay officiating. Burial will follow in the Delta Memorial Gardens.

Times Post 02/27/1975

Ruben Edd Higginbotham (1888-1975) MS

Ruben Edd Higginbotham, retired farmer, who resided on Hall Street in Houston, died at 2:25 pm, Monday, Feb 24, at the Houston Hospital. He was 85 and had resided in Chickasaw County all of his life. Funeral services were conducted at 1 pm Tuesday, Feb 25, from Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. E M Gordon officiating. Interment was in Chickasaw Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers were: Robert Moore, James Moore, Henry Higginbotham, David Higginbotham, James Carter and Herley Higginbotham. Mr. Higginbotham was born May 5 1889, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Higginbotham. He was a Baptist. He leaves his wife, Mrs. Mary Higginbotham; two sons, John and Hubert Higginbotham, both of Houston; one brother, Virgil Higginbotham of Houston; a sister, Mrs. Sevellar Moore of Houston; three half brothers, a half sister, nine grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

Times Post 05/15/1975

Mary Smith Higginbotham (ca1890-1975) AL/MS

Higginbotham Rites Held

Funeral services were held for Mrs. Mary Higginbotham, 85 wife of the late R E Higginbotham, at 10 am, May 9 1975. She died at 6:15 pm May 7 at the Hillcrest Nursing Home in Aberdeen. Services were held at Memorial Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. H B Rushing officiating. Interment was in Chickasaw Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers were David Higginbotham, Wayne Higginbotham, Herley Higginbotham, Don Howell, Rudolph Clemmons and Nathan Shuler. Mrs. Higginbotham, a retired housewife, was born in Birmingham, Al., the daughter of John Smith and Nancy Hudson Smith. She had spent most of her life in Chickasaw County and had resided at 389 Hall Street in Houston. She is survived by two sons, John and Herbert Higginbotham, both of Houston; two half sisters, Mrs. Ruby Roe Alma of Amory and Mrs. Victoria Doss of Houston. Also surviving are nine grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.  

Holmes County Herald 06/06/1978

Lester Jane Higginbotham (1893-1978) MS

Mr. and Mrs. J.T. Higginbotham attended the funeral of Miss Lester Higginbotham of Burnsville. While there they visited her father, S.J. Bobo.

The Houston Times Post 08/05/1982

Joseph Jackson Higginbotham (1909-1982) MS

Funeral services for Joseph Jackson Higginbotham, age 72, were Friday, July 30 at Houston Funeral Home. Burial was in Wesley Chapel Cemetery. Mr. Higginbotham died Thursday, July 29 at Houston Community Hospital. The son of the late Joe Edward Higginbotham and the late Minnie Youngblood, he was a retired employee of the City of Houston. He was born in Chickasaw County and was a member of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Ruth Roman Higginbotham of Houston; five daughters, Mrs. Melba Bishop of Tupelo, Mrs. Katherine Shuler of Randolph, Mrs. Maxine Winsett of Vardaman, Mrs. Joyce Long of Houston and Mrs. Eardeal Foster of Amory; one step-daughter, Mrs. Norman Parker of Houston; one step-son, Robert Tallent of Okolona; two brothers, Joe Higginbotham of Vardaman and Bill Higginbotham of Houston; one sister, Mrs. Jeanette Reeves of Houston; 17 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Pallbearers were Ray Parker, Billy Ray Higginbotham, Hurley Higginbotham, Paul Ward, Dan Allen and Don Reedy. Houston Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Times Post 08/04/1993

Earlie Higginbotham (1906-1993) MS

Earlie Higginbotham, age 78, of Houlka died Tuesday, July 27, 1993 at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. Graveside services were held Wednesday, July 28 at Rose Hill Cemetery with the Rev. Rick Burton officiating. Houlka Funeral was in charge of arrangements. The son of the late Will Higginbotham and the late Iomey F. Higginbotham, he was a lifelong resident of Houlka. He was a retired farmer. Survivors include his wife, Ola Wiggs Higginbotham of Houlka; one daughter, Frances Vance Bryant, AR; three sons, Billy Higginbotham of Corinth, Jimmy Higginbotham of Houlka and Delance Higginbotham of Harrisburg, AR and two sisters, Vera Pettit of Vardaman and Alma Dye of West Point. Pallbearers were Mickey Smith, Tim Turner, Rex Smith, Gary Turner, Danny Joe Chapman and Tommy Davis.

Daily Journal 12/31/1997

Mable Pauline Turner Higginbotham (1919-1997) MS

VARDAMAN Mable Pauline Higginbotham, 78, died Monday, Dec. 29, 1997, at the Floy Dyer Manor in Houston. She was born Nov. 28, 1919, in Calhoun County to Robert and Ida Mixon Turner. She was a homemaker and a member of Vardaman Baptist Church. She was the widow of Joe Edward Higginbotham. Services will be at 2 p.m. today at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Houston with the Rev. Dale Easley and the Rev. Tim Loden officiating. Burial will be in Pittsboro Cemetery. Survivors include a foster son, Kelly Wayne Barnes of Olive Branch; four brothers, James Turner of Monterrey, Calif., Wilburn Turner and Wayne Turner, both of West Point, and Billy Joe Turner of Montpelier; several nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Doug Bishop, Billy Ray Higginbotham, Don Reedy, Frank Billion, Frank Billion Jr., Chad Higginbotham and Billy Foster. Honorary pallbearers will be J.R. Penick, Bill Nabors, Kenneth Higginbotham, Billy Wayne Barnes and Jay Huffman.

Times Post 06/07/1999

Clara Blansett Higginbotham (1927-1999) MS

HOUSTON Clara Blansett Higginbotham, 71, died Sunday, June 6, 1999, at the Trace Regional Hospital. She was born Nov. 7, 1927, in Chickasaw County to Walter Blansett and Neasy Hollis Blansett. She was a homemaker and a member of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Houston with the Rev. Mike Childs and the Rev. Elkin Heair officiating. Burial will be in Wesley Chapel Cemetery. Survivors include her husband, John D. Higginbotham; five sons, Kirkham Dendy Jr. of Houston, Kirkham Hugh Dendy of Atlanta, Sam McQuire of Manila, Ark., and Steve McQuire and Bob McQuire, both of Jonesboro, Ark.; one sister, Opal Goodwin of Water Valley; two brothers, Walter Blansett of Murfreesboro, Ark., and Evans Blansett of Anniston, Ala.; 14 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, Ricky Finley. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Houston First United Methodist Church Family Life Center.

Enterprise-Journal 01/16/2000

Verena Higginbotham Barr (1937-2000) MS
Verena Higginbotham Barr, 62, of McComb, died Jan. 15, 2000,at Baptist Medical Center in Jackson.
Visitation is at Hartman Funeral Home in McComb today from 4-9 p.m. and Monday from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Services are at 2p.m. Monday in the funeral home chapel. Dr. Jimmy Porter will officiate, and burial will be in Pike Memorial Gardens in McComb.
Mrs. Barr was born Aug. 23, 1937, in Pike County. She was the daughter of James and Lillie Bell Neely Higginbotham.
A homemaker, she was a member of First Baptist Church of McComb. Mrs. Barr had served as a Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader, taught Sunday school and was active in the PTA.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Survivors include her husband, Joel R. Barr of McComb; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Joey and Robbin Barr of Magnolia and Kevin Barr of McComb; one daughter, Phyllis Barr of McComb; a brother, James Higginbotham of Jackson; an aunt, Maggie Leonard of McComb; four sisters, Ruby Kelly and Jennetter Williams, both of McComb, Dorothy Fortenberry of Tylertown and Peggy Holmes of Lexie; and three grandchildren, Dusty, Brooke and Nicky Barr.
Pallbearers will be Wilson Barr III, Walter Temple, Jeff Fortenberry, Richard Boreham, Jonathan Keenze and Chuck Lambert.

The Sun Herald 07/01/2000

Vera Clara Ramsay Higginbotham (1913-2000) MS

OCEAN SPRINGS --- Vera Ramsay Higginbotham went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, June 30, 2000. She was born in Biloxi on October 15, 1913, to the late Oscar and Amelia Ramsay and remained a lifelong resident of the coast. She worked in the seafood industry for several years and in the 1940's was a co-owner and operator of the Tip Top Cafe in Biloxi. She lived the last decades of her life as a contented homemaker. Mrs. Higginbotham was a charter member of Epworth United Methodist Church in Biloxi, where she served the Lord faithfully until her illness. She and her husband were the first couple to be married at the church on November 28, 1928. Mrs. Higginbotham was also a charter member of the Epworth United Methodist Women's group. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Charles Joseph Higginbotham; her parents, Oscar and Amelia Ramsay; three sisters, Verna Ladnier, Beryl Orr and Winnie Campbell; and three brothers, Carl Ramsay, Lester Ramsay and Elliott Ramsay. Survivors include her son, Oscar Higginbotham and his wife, Floy McAllister Higginbotham, of Vancleave; her daughter, Myrta Faye Williams and her husband, John A. Williams of Gulfport; two sisters, Iris Stanovich of Biloxi and Eunice Youngblood of D'Iberville; a brother, Elvin Ramsay of St. Martin; five grandchildren, Chuck Higginbotham of Foley, Alabama, Cindy Singleton of Ocean Springs, Cheryl Martino of St. Martin, Alison Madigan of Long Beach and Joy Hird of Conway, S.C.; and 11 great-grandchildren. A service will be at 4 p.m. Sunday, July 2, at the Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes in Biloxi where friends may call an hour before service time. Burial will be in Southern Memorial Park.
 

The Daily Sentinel Star 07/17/2000

Lena Pearl Higginbotham Stewart Harvey (1906-2000) MS
WINONA - Lena Pearl Stewart Harvey, age 93, died Thursday, July 13, at Appling Wood Nursing Home in Memphis.
Ms. Harvey was a homemaker. She was also a member of Raleigh Primitive Baptist Church.
Ms. Harvey is survived by 2 daughters, Ruby Nell Enok of Lakeland, TN., and Mary Sue Hutchinson of Memphis, TN.; 2 sons, C.L. Stewart of Memphis and George Donald Stewart of West, MS.; 1 sister, Ethel Donahoo of Winona; 1 brother, Lee Higginbotham of Memphis; 28 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.
Funeral Services were held Saturday, July 15, at 2:00 p.m. at Oliver Funeral Home in Winona. Burial was held in Oakwood Cemetery in Winona.
Oliver Funeral Home of Winona was in charge of arrangements.
 

The Daily Sentinel Star 08/04/2000

Wilburn Everett Higginbotham  (1920-2000) MS
COFFEEVILLE - W. E. Higginbotham, age 79, died Tuesday, August 1 at Beverly Health.
Mr. Higginbotham was a retired carpenter, an Army veteran and a member of Sherman Baptist Church.
Services were held Thursday, August 3 at 10 a.m. at Sherman Baptist Church with Rev. Forrest Poindexter officiating. Burial will be in Raper's Chapel Cemetery in Bruce.
Mr. Higginbotham is survived by his wife - Lima Higginbotham of Coffeeville; a daughter - Martha Kay Hall of West Monroe, LA; a step-daughter - Myrtice Scott of Tacoma, WA; three sons - John Everette Higginbotham, E. J. Higginbotham both of Walker, LA, and Billy Ronnie Higginbotham of Longview, TX; six stepsons - Bobby Joe Kemp of Tennessee, Billy Edd Kemp of Coffeeville, John Kemp of Calhoun City, Calvin Kemp of Tennessee, Preston Kemp and Jeff Kemp both of Houston; two sisters - Lola Mae Collins of Bruce and Evelyn DiMeelio of San Diego, CA; 11 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two sons - Kenneth Paul Higginbotham and Robert Earl Higginbotham; one daughter - Nina Elizabeth Higginbotham; his parents - Melvin S. Higginbotham and Clara Mabel Chandler Higginbotham; and his first wife - Eva Marie Higginbotham.
Pryor Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Franklin County Times 11/29/2000

Grady Tilton Higginbotham (1918-2000) MS
Self-employed
MACON Services for Grady T. Higginbotham will be held Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at Cockrell Funeral Home Chapel, with the Revs. Bobby Joe Butler and Kim Wolverton officiating. Burial will be in Salem Cemetery.
Mr. Higginbotham, 82, of Macon, died Monday, Nov. 27, 2000, at Noxubee General Hospital. He was a self-employed service station and used car dealership owner and operator.
Survivors include three daughters, Marie Vernon of Macon, Nancy Andre of Collierville, Tenn. and Peggy Jernigan of Ethelsville, Ala.; two sons, Ray Higginbotham of Macon and Elmer Higginbotham of Ellisville; two sisters, Annie White of Shuqualak and Christine Sullivan of Jonesboro, La.; two brothers, Brooks Higginbotham of Shuqualak and Kittrell Higginbotham of Greenwood; 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ollie Mae Higginbotham.
The family requests memorials be made to Macon Central Academy or Noxubee County Nursing Home.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Franklin County Times 12/19/2000

Alice Higginbotham Stephens (1897-2000) MA
PHILADELPHIA Services for Alice Higginbotham Stephens will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Damascus Freewill Baptist Church in Kemper County, with the Revs. Robert Higginbotham and Bill Freeman officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. John E. Stephens Chapel Funeral Services is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Stephens, 106, died Sunday, Dec. 17, 2000, at the Kemper Community Nursing Facility in DeKalb.
Survivors include three daughters, Earlene Wiggins and Mattie Fern Stevens Pinkham, both of Collinsville, and Lena Smith of Dalewood; a son, J.K. Stephens of Bailey; 23 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be today beginning at 5 p.m. at the funeral home and 30 minutes prior to the service at the church.
 

Franklin County Times 12/20/2001

Myrtice Ray Spring Higginbotham (1932-2001) MS
Registered nurse
MACON Services for Myrtice Ray Higginbotham will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at Mashulaville Baptist Church with the Revs. Hugh Poole and Allen Mapp officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery with Cockrell Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Higginbotham, 69, of Macon, died Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2001, in her home.
Survivors include her husband, Odell Higginbotham of Macon; a daughter, Carol Faye Pruitt of Macon; two sons, Larry Higginbotham of Shuqualak and Raymond Higginbotham of Waskom, Texas; two sisters, Elizabeth Rutledge of Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Bernice Brown of Kissimmee, Fla.; her mother, Ovie K. Syring of Macon; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
The family requests memorials be made to MUW Foundation, Garrett/Higginbotham Nursing Scholarship, P.O. Box W-1618, Columbus, MS 39701 or Columbus Lowndes Humane Society, 13 Airline Rd., Columbus, MS 39702.
Visitation will be today 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
 

Franklin County Times 02/06/2002

Roger Lamar Higginbotham (1947-2002) MS
Disabled veteran
MACON Services for Roger L. Higginbotham will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. at Butler Pentecostal Church with the Revs. Bobby Joe Butler, Gerald Butler and Rayburn Druey officiating. Burial will be in Coy Cemetery with Cockrell Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Higginbotham, 54, of Shuqualak, died Monday, Feb. 4, 2002, in his home. He was a native and lifelong resident of Noxubee County. He attended Shuqualak Public Schools. Mr. Higginbotham served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Conflict and was awarded the Air Medal and Bronze Star for his service. He coached little league baseball for 10 years.
Mr. Higginbotham loved his grandchildren, Mississippi State University and the Saint Louis Cardinals. He was a member of Macedonia United Methodist Church and an avid hunter who served as secretary and treasurer of the White House Mountain Hunting Club.
Survivors include his wife, Judy Higginbotham; a daughter, Lynn Payne and her husband, Ronnie, of DeKalb; a son, Rocky Higginbotham and his wife, Julie, of Little Rock; five grandchildren, Jessica Payne, Justin Payne, Amber Payne, Meagan Higginbotham and Jordan Higginbotham; his parents, Lamar and Mildred Higginbotham of Shuqualak; four sisters, Barbara Largio of Witt, Ill., Janice Martin of Shuqualak, Debbie Evans of Preston and Lisa Abraham of Trenton, Ga.
Pallbearers will be James Sciple, Eddie Coleman, Tommy Coleman, Jimmy Coleman, Joel Cumberland, Willis Jones, Woody Moody and Wayne Eaves.
Honorary pallbearers will be John Hailey, Billy Brown, Pete Boykin and Ralph Taylor.
Visitation will be today 6 p.m.-9 p.m. at the church.

The Clarion-Ledger 07/05/2002

Charles Lambert Higginbotham (1917-2002) TN/MS
Charles L. "Charlie" Higginbotham, 85, died Thursday, July 4, 2002, at home. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Sunday, July 7, at Riemann Funeral Home in Long Beach, where friends may call after 1 p.m. Burial will be in Gulf Pines Memorial Gardens and Mausoleum in Long Beach.
Mr. Higginbotham was born and reared in La Follete, Tennessee, and was a resident of Pascagoula for 36 years prior to moving to Long Beach. He was a graduate of Morehead State University in Kentucky, which he attended on a basketball scholarship. He served in World War II in Special Services and traveled through Europe and England entertaining troops with his abilities as a musician. Mr. Higginbotham retired as a cost engineer in the cost accounting department of Ingall's Shipbuilding Corporation. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Pascagoula, a former member of the Miss. Gulf Coast Jazz Society, and in the past had been a member of VFW and American Legion in Pascagoula. He was a well known entertainer on the Gulf Coast, playing with this band, Ambassadors of Rhythm and many others.
Mr. Higginbotham was preceded in death by his first wife, Mabel Gentry Higginbotham; his second wife, Madge Sessums Franklin Higginbotham; a son, Paul Higginbotham; a stepdaughter, Ramona Franklin Williams; parents, William Adison and Exie Anna Farmer Higginbotham; a brother, Oshea Higginbotham; and two sisters, Addie Jewell Higginbotham and Louis Higginbotham.

Franklin County Times 07/06/2002

Annie Pearl Higginbotham Holyfield (1913-2002) MS/TX

NEWTON Services for Annie Pearl Holyfield will be held Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at James F. Webb Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs. Curtis Cain and John Cash officiating. Burial will be in Lawrence Cemetery in Lawrence.
Mrs. Holyfield, 88, of Newton, died Wednesday, July 3, 2002, at Tomball Hospital in Tomball, Texas. Born in Neshoba County, she was a supervisor with Newton Company and was a member of Newton United Methodist Church and Ruth Circle. She served as treasurer of Newton P&B Womens Club and the Lawrence Homemakers Club.
Survivors include a daughter, Irma H. Dennis of Hockley, Texas; a sister, Frances Burrage of Meehan; a brother, Lewis Higginbotham of Philadelphia; two granddaughters, Deborah Myers of Newton and Deana Crosby of Atlanta; two grandsons, Ted Johnson of Lake and Steve Dennis of Hockley; and several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, A.B. and Ada Maxwell Higginbotham; a daughter, Ora Belle Johnson; a son-in-law, Cecil Dennis; three sisters, Jean Smith, Betty Lewis and Agnes Alexander; and three brothers, Leroy Higginbotham, Leonard Higginbotham and Leon Higginbotham.
Pallbearers will be her great-grandchildren, Ryan Myers, Reed Myers, Jothan Crosby, Drew Crosby, Brian Johnson and Lee Crosby.
 

12/16/2002

James Edward Higginbotham (1931-2002) MS

Funeral services for James Edward Higginbotham, 70, of Leland, were held December 18,2002 at Lee Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Lanny Haley officiating. Burial was held at Bethel Cemetery near Kilmichael with Lee Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements. Mr. Higginbotham died December 15, 2002 at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland. He was a Presbyterian and U. S. Army Veteran. Survivors include his wife, Etta W. Higginbotham of Leland; daughters, Sheila Goss of Carrollton and Debra Willhite of Carrollton; sons, Jimmy Higginbotham, Johnny Higginbotham and Wayne Higginbotham, all of Carrollton and James Lynn Higginbotham of Calhoun City; brothers, Clayton Dotson Higginbotham of Murfreesboro, TN, Charles Higginbotham of Winona and Walter Dylynn Higginbotham of Bell Buckle, TN; twenty-two grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were Hubert Willhite, Wayne Minga, Wayne Goss, J.R. Haley, Frank Bowers, Sr., Timothy Shelton, Jimmy Watson, Robert Haley and Johnny Higginbotham.

Franklin County Times 12/26/2002

Edna Marcella Gibbs Higginbotham (1940-2002) MS/AR
Homemaker
PHILADELPHIA Memorial services for Marcella Higginbotham will be held today at 3 p.m. at McClain-Hays Funeral Service Chapel with the Rev. David Richardson officiating. Burial will be in Trumann, Ark.
Mrs. Higginbotham, 62, of Philadelphia, died Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2002, at Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center.
Survivors include her husband, William Higginbotham of Philadelphia; sons, Gregory Lynn Green and Jimmy Dean Green of Trumann; seven grandchildren; a sister, Vera Louise Green of Trumann; brothers, Robert Earl Gibbs of Harrisburg, Ark., and Ray Gibbs of Jonesboro, Ark; a step-daughter, Charlotte Alford of Philadelphia; and two step-sons, Brad Higginbotham and Brian Higginbotham, both of Philadelphia.
She was preceded in death by her former husband, James Lee Green.

 

New Albany Gazette 01/17/2003

Linda Reese Nix Higginbotham (1939-2003) MS
Linda Higginbotham, 63, formerly of Southaven, died Monday, Jan. 13, 2003, at her home in New Albany.
She was born Jan. 19, 1939, in Coahoma County. She was a retired quality control operator for Smith & Nephew and a member of the New Albany Church of Christ.
Services were at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, at Twin Oaks Funeral Home in Southaven. Burial was in Twin Oaks Memorial Gardens in Southaven.
Survivors include two daughters, Sherry Nix of New Albany and Hope Nix of Twin Oaks, Calif.; a son, Jeff Nix of Pontotoc; two step-daughters, Joyce Glover of Southaven and Donna Harris of Olive Branch; two step-sons, Kenneth Higginbotham of Arlington, Tenn. and William Higginbotham of Brownsville, Tenn.; a grandson; her mother, Kathleen Kemp of Indianola; two sisters, Wadie Lepard of New Albany and Patsy Rowland of North Carolina; a brother, Kerry Reese of Jasper, Ala.
She was preceded in death by her father, Roman Odell Reese.

Leesville (LA) Daily Leader 04/16/2003
Mary Moveline Higginbotham Nein (1913-2003) MS/LA/TX
Mary Moveline (Higginbotham) Nein, 89, of Austin, Texas, went home to be with her precious Lord on April 14, 2003. She was born December 22, 1913, in Greenwood, Mississippi, to Burkett and Myrtle (Harden) Higginbotham. Until recently, she had been a resident of Leesville, La., for more than 30 years. She retired from the state as a laundry supervisor at the Leesville State School -- the residents of the school always held a special place in her heart. Preceded in death by parents Burkett and Myrtle, step-father Walter Watson, and nine brothers and sisters, her husband of 31 years August Eugene Nein, daughters, Doris D. (Bond) Gribbin-Mikell and D. Nadine (Bond) Sprinkle, grandson Robert Sprinkle, and great-grandson Chad Hyde. She is survived by her sister Kathryn Fielder of Harbor, Oregon, and brother Raymond Watson and wife Patricia of Cosmopolis, Washington, grandchildren, Kenneth Sprinkle and partner Alex Villalobos of Austin, Texas, Jeannie Hyde-Eft and husband John of Phoenix, Arizona, D. Kay Gribbin-Uchiyama and husband Elliott of Dallas, Texas; Jack Gribbin Jr. and wife Mary of San Antonio, Texas, and Delicia Gribbin of Garland, Texas, great-grandchildren Brady Kohler, Christopher and Else Hyde, Richard Driver, Jason and Dawn Driver, Kimberly and Kris Kremer, William Hartshorn, Kyle Uchiyama, Jack Gribbin III and Paul Gribbin, great-great- grandchildren, Elizabeth, Tristan, Mark, Nick, Jason, Kolton, Elijah and Isaiah, many loving nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. Our sweet grandma worked hard all her life. She loved her garden, especially the roses, and had a special knack for making things grow. She enjoyed fishing, was a wonderful cook, and always appreciated the simple things in life. She will live on in our hearts and we will never forget the love she had for her family and friends. Family visitation will be at the funeral home from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 16. Funeral services will be Thursday, April 17, at 10 a.m. in the Labby Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Leesville. The Rev. Benny Backlund will officiate. Burial will follow in the Canaan Cemetery in Leesville.

Franklin County Times 11/06/2003

Tami Higginbotham Demoulin (ca1964-2003) AL/LA
Secretary
PHILADELPHIA Services for Tami Higginbotham Demoulin will be today at 11:30 a.m. at McClain-Hays Funeral Service Chapel with the Rev. Gerald Butler officiating. Burial will be in Shuqualak Cemetery.
Mrs. Demoulin, 39, of Fordoche, La., died Monday, Nov. 3, 2003, in Port Allen, La.
Survivors include her husband, Mark Demoulin Sr.; step-sons, Mark Demoulin Jr. and Justin Demoulin, all of Fordoche; her mother, Seretha Hartness of Preston; grandmother, Loridia Williams of Preston; sisters, Debra Higginbotham and Amanda Higginbotham Cumberland, both of Philadelphia; and a brother, Mikel Higginbotham of Shuqualak.

Franklin County Times 12/06/2003

Ollie Kate Page Higginbotham (1926-2003) MS
Homemaker
PHILADELPHIA Services for Kate Higginbotham will be held today at 3:30 p.m. at Mt. Olive Baptist Church with the Rev. Medrick Savell officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery in the House Community of Neshoba County. McClain-Hays Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Higginbotham, 77, of Philadelphia, died Thursday, Dec. 4, 2003 at Neshoba County General Hospital. She was a lifelong resident of the House Community of Neshoba County and she was a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church.
Survivors include her daughter, Linda Spears and her husband, Hilton; grandson, Shannon Goforth; great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn Goforth and Allison Goforth, all of Union; brothers, Jimmie Page of Philadelphia, Bernell Page and W.A. Page, both of Union, Ardell Page of Mendenhall and Marzell Page of Pearl; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard Higginbotham.
Pallbearers will be Keith Page, Dwight Page, Jay Spears, Jerry Winstead, Glen Fry and Terry Penson.

 

The Natchez Democrat 04/04/2004

Iva Lee Higginbotham Breland (1920-2004) AL/LA
July 11, 1920 - April 3, 2004
FERRIDAY, La. - Services for Iva H. Breland, 83, of Clayton, who died Saturday, April 3, 2004 in Alexandria, will be Monday, April 5, 2004 at 2 p.m. at Comer Funeral Home Chapel in Ferriday with the Rev. John Williams officiating. Interment will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Natchez.
Visitation is today from 5 to 8 p.m. at Comer in Ferriday.
Mrs. Breland was born July 11, 1920, in Collinsville, the daughter of Amon M. and Myrtle W. Higginbotham. She was a resident of Clayton since 1938 and a homemaker. She was a member of the Clayton Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband J.C. Breland, a daughter, Kathy Joyce Breland, two brothers, Hobert and Roy Higginbotham and two sisters, Ruby Breland and Thelma Chisholm.
Survivors include four sons, Wendell Breland of Ridgecrest, Doyle Breland of Natchez, Marshall Breland of Alto, La., and Noel Breland of Gonzales, La.; two daughters, Evelyn Crawford of Sicily Island, La., and Carolyn Lushute of Ferriday, La.; two brothers, Carl Higginbotham of Avita Springs, Texas, and Herston Higginbotham of Bruceville, Texas; two sisters, Monie Jo Barfield of Newellton and Catherine Chisholm of Prairieville, La.; 20 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Mrs. Breland's grandsons will serve as pallbearers.
 

The Sun Herald 04/20/2004

Jack Higginbotham (1931-2004) OH/MS

Mr. Jack Higginbotham, age 73, of Ocean Springs, MS., died Saturday, April 17, 2004, in Ocean Springs. Mr. Higginbotham was born in Akron, Ohio, and was raised in Sherman, New York. He was a longtime resident of Ocean Springs. He retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Master Sergeant, having served during WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. He was of the Christian faith. Mr. Higginbotham was survived by his wife, Maria Higginbotham, two daughters, Brigitte Higginbotham and Elizabeth Higginbotham Adams, all of Ocean Springs, MS, a son, Jack A. Higginbotham and wife, Sharon, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, two grandchildren, Kristy Adams Turner of Ocean Springs, MS., and Jacklyn Higginbotham of Baton Rouge, LA, and two great-grandchildren, Kaitlan and Kelli Turner, both of Ocean Springs. Visitation will be Tuesday, April 20, 2004, from 6-8 p.m., with a 10 a.m. chapel service on Wednesday, April 21, 2004, all at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home. Burial will be in Crestlawn Memorial Park with full military honors.

The Daily Leader 06/09/2004

Sarah Patricia Higginbotham Berry (1952-2004) MS
Services for Sarah Patricia Berry of Brookhaven are 2:30 p.m., Thursday, June 10, at Brookhaven Church of God with burial in Easthaven Cemetery. Community Funeral Services is in charge of arrangements.
Visitation is Wednesday from 5-9 p.m., at the church.
Mrs. Berry, 52, died June 7, 2004, at University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. She was born in Rome, Miss., on May 29, 1952, to Otis and Eunice Higginbotham.
Preceding her in death was her father.
Survivors are her mother, Eunice and husband Dan "Pops" Pierce; her husband, Mike Berry; her daughter and son-in-law, Jenny and Frank Nations; her son, Danny Rowe; her sisters and brothers-in-law, Carole and Wayne Boyte, Sue and Roy Barnett, and Marilyn Cotton, all of Brookhaven, Nan and Toby Grice of Pearl, and Wanda and Danny Rowe of Midland, Texas; her grandchildren, Katie and Eli Nations, Jordon Ledoux and Emily Carithers, all of Brookhaven; her stepsons, Jonathon and wife Karyn and child Kayla Berry, all of Destin, Fla., Michael and wife Missy and child Christin, all of Brandon; Shane and wife Jody and children Cody and Tanner Berry, all of Pearl; and numerous nieces and nephews.
 

The Times-Post 08/26/2004

Pearlie May Barnett Higginbotham (1935-2004) MS
Houston- Services for Pearlie M. Higginbotham, 68, who died on Aug. 18, 2004 at her residence in the Thorn Community were held on Aug. 21, 2004 at the Thorn Church of God at 2 p.m. with Bros. Frank Samples and Allen Smith officiating. Internment followed in Ellzey Cemetery in Vardaman.
Mrs. Higginbotham was born on Nov. 25, 1935 in Houston to Fred Barnett and Emmie O. Gibson. She was a member of the Thorn Church of God and was retired from Gulf State Ceramic Tile.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her husband, Herley L. Higginbotham of Houston; two sons, Roger E. Barnett of Houston and Richard A. Higginbotham of Jackson, Tenn.; one daughter, Penny T. Garcia of Houston; three sisters, Verna Dees of Kosciusko, Evelyn Pettit of Houston and Mavis Collums of Houlka; two brothers, Addren Barnett and Harvey Barnett, both of Houston; five grandchildren, Eric Shane Barnett, Tiffany Jordan Rios, Danielle Aquiline, Ray Laney and Brenda Wheat.
Pallbearers were Robert, Danny, Ricky and Jerry McClain, and William and Jerry Barnett.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Thorn Church of God Life Center, 1513 CR 405, Houston, Miss. 38851 or the Ellzey Cemetery Fund.
 

The Times-Post 09/22/2004
Hubert E. Higginbotham (1916-2004) MS
Houston - Services for Hubert E. Higginbotham, 88, who died Sept. 20, 2004 at Magnolia Personal Care Home will be held Thursday, Sept. 23, 2004 at Houston Funeral Home with Rev. Grady Williams officiating. Interment will be in Chickasaw Memorial Gardens.
Mr. Higginbotham was a retired auto body repairman and a Nazarene.
Survivors include his wife, Wilma Robertson Higginbotham of Houston; one daughter-in -law, Sharon Higginbotham of Lewisburg, Tenn.; five nieces, Dorothy Black, Patsy Gore, Joan Howell, Mary Nabors, Linda Higginbotham and Kay Higginbotham.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ruben Edd and Mary Smith Higginbotham.

 

The Neshoba Democrat 1/12/2005
Nettie M. Dunn Higginbotham (1925-2005) MS
Services for Nettie Higginbotham were held Monday, Jan. 10, 2005, at 11 a.m. from the chapel of McClain-Hays Funeral Home. The Rev. Bill Mangrum and the Rev. Danny Chaney officiated. Burial was in Mt. Olive Cemetery in the Stephenstown community of Neshoba County.
Mrs. Higginbotham, 79, of Hattiesburg, died Thursday, Jan. 6, 2005, in Bedford Care Center of Hattiesburg.
She was a native of Neshoba County and had lived in Union and Hattiesburg. Mrs. Higginbotham, a retired nurse’s aide, had received her GED at 60 years of age and had completed two years of nursing school.
She was a member of Lynn Ray Road Baptist Church in Petal.
Survivors include two daughters, Gloria Murphy of Hattiesburg and Wanda Fullen of Saucier; four sons, Roy Higginbotham of Forest, Timothy Higginbotham of Hattiesburg, Henry Higginbotham of Prattville, Ala. and Claudie Higginbotham of Biloxi; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Matthew Eugene Dunn of Canton and Lavern Dunn of Louisville.
Pallbearers were Jimmy Murphy, Jr. Jimmy Murphy, Sr., Brian Higginbotham, Ed Beckham, Bobby Ishee, Johnny Cutrer and Bo Barnett.

 

The Times-Post 03/04/2005

Shelby Jean Higginbotham Rhodes (1938-2005) MS
Mrs. Shelby Higginbotham, age 67, died Friday, Mar. 4, 2005 at her home in Houston. Funeral services were held Sunday, March 6 at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Houston. Burial was in Ellzey Cemetery with Bro. Johnny Cherry officiating.
The daughter of the late Richmond L. Higginbotham and the late Myrtle Rucker Higginbotham, she was a retired office manager for Gold Medal and was a member of Faith Bible Church.
Survivors include her husband, James Rhodes of Houston; one son, Michael Griffin of Decatur; one daughter, Renee Ingram of Malvern, Ark.; two sisters, Etoyle Little of Grenada and Eloise Thomas of Brandon; two brothers, Herley Higginbotham of Houston and Glen Higginbotham of Guntown; three grandchildren, Angel Dunlap, Emily Ingram and Savannah Griffin and two great grandchildren, Caleb Dunlap and Conner Dunlap.
Pallbearers were Richmond Higginbotham, Billy Little, Bobby Little, Terry Smith, Edwin Hancock and Dewayne Weaver.
Houston Memorial Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
 

The Bolivar Commercial 04/15/2005

Carsie Zeaburn Higginbotham (1940-2005) MS
Carsie Zeaburn Higginbotham, 64, of Cleveland died Wednesday, April 13, 2005, in Greenville.
Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Calvary Baptist Church in Cleveland with the Rev. Wayne Sistrunk officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Ray Funeral Home of Cleveland. Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Mr. Higginbotham was born on Nov. 6, 1940, in Sunflower. He was a resident of Bolivar County for 61 years. He married Barbara Ann Turner on Aug. 30, 1997. He was the owner/operator of auto, marine and industrial coating businesses. He enjoyed fishing, camping and living with his wife, Barbara.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Loretta Alice Higginbotham Tackett.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara Ann Turner of Cleveland; a son, Arnold Zeaburn Higginbotham of Crestview Hill, Ky.; a daughter, Elizabeth Higginbotham Stroker; a stepson, Trey McCurdy of Branson, Mo.; two stepdaughters, Chase Clark of Teoc and Christen Smith of Skene; two brothers, Cecil Tackett of Pocahontas, Ark. and David Tackett of Dallas; a sister, Ann Tackett King of Pocahontas, Ark.; eight grandchildren, Strom Stroker, Rhys Stroker and Marlow Stroker, all of Olathe, Kan., Ashley Denton and Anna McCurdy of Springfield, Mo., Brianna Smith of Boyle, Madison Clark of Teoc and Mary-Margaret Forbes of Inverness.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the "Zabe Higginbotham Memorial Fund," Cleveland State Bank, Main Office, 110 Commerce Ave., Cleveland, MS 38732.

 

Clarksdale Press Register 07/06/2005

Virginia Burns Higginbotham (1927-2005) MS

Virginia Higginbotham, 78, died following a lengthy illness July 3, 2005 at Homeplace Nursing Facility in Saltillo.
She was born Jan. 30, 1927 in Lyon to Henry Arnold Burns Sr. and Verna Vanlandingham Burns. She was a retired office manager for Wilma's House of Fashion in Tupelo and also worked for Uniforms Unlimited in Tupelo.
She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Tupelo. Before retirement, she was active in Al-Anon. She loved spending time with her family, reading and working crossword puzzles.
Survivors include one daughter, Lynn Palmertree and husband Robert of Saltillo; two sons, James Higginbotham and wife Pamela of Amory and Thomas Higginbotham of Stone Mountain, Ga.; two sisters, Dot Baker and Sue Burns; one brother, Wilton Simpson; five granddaughters; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, J.D. Higginbotham and two brothers.
Private graveside services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Lee Memorial Park with Bro. Andy Dozier officiating. Lee Memorial Funeral Home of Verona was in charge of arrangements.

07/18/2005

Carey F. Higginbotham (1939-2005) MS

Born on January 11, 1939 Died on July 16, 2005

Mr. Carey F. Higginbotham, 66, of Biloxi, MS, died Saturday, July 16, 2005, in Biloxi. Mr. Higginbotham was a lifelong resident of the coast and a graduate of Biloxi High School. He was employed at the Veterans Administration of Biloxi and served in the U. S. Army National Guard. Mr. Higginbotham was member of Gulf Hills Country club, and Biloxi Elks Lodge #606. He was preceded in death by his parents, Nelson and Edna Higginbotham. Survivors include his wife, Gloria Bonner Higginbotham of Biloxi; three daughters, Kim Higginbotham Meeker and her husband, Dan, of Slidell, LA, Karee Higginbotham Broom and her husband, Brian, of Crystal Springs and Kyra Higginbotham Monk and her husband, Lance, of Ocean Springs; two sons, Kevin Higginbotham of Gainesville, FL and Kyle Higginbotham of Biloxi; four brothers, Percy of Lafayette, LA, Curtis, George and Dennis Higginbotham; three sisters, Rosemary Tiblier, Marie Shirley Parker and Melba Ruth Higginbotham, all of Biloxi; his grandchildren, Hartwell "Trey" Gex, Brian, Brittany and Max Meeker, Danaher Broom, Kristina "Niki", Clinton "CC" and Aaron Higginbotham, Allyson and Jared Monk, and two great grandchildren, Ashli Higginbotham and Travis McKee. Carey's friends and family knew him as an avid golfer and prankster who had a wonderful gift of making people laugh. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. A memorial service will be held 5 p.m. Thursday, July 21, 2005, at St. John Catholic Church in Biloxi where friends may visit one hour before service time. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials be made to the American Cancer Society, ATTN: Dennis Warren, 417 Security Square, Gulfport, MS 39507.

The Vicksburg Post 01/17/2006

James Ward Higginbotham (1949-2006) FL/MS
JACKSON - A memorial service for James Ward Higginbotham, 56, will be held today, Jan. 17, 2006, at 6 p.m. at Restoration Church on Highway 49 South in Florence. Glenwood Funeral Home is handling arrangements. A celebration of life will be held immediately following the service at Martin's on State Street.
Jim, who was born in Jacksonville, Fla., died Saturday. He was a resident of Jackson for 25 years.
Jim owned and operated Heritage Jewelers in Jackson and was a certified jeweler and gemologist. As a young man he enlisted in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. He attended seminary in California at God's Army. In Jackson, he developed an interest in Celtic music and was a self-taught percussionist. He played percussion in several bands locally and nationally including Spirits of the House, Dreamer and Key West. He was an avid reader. Not only did he play adult softball and soccer, but he greatly enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren play sports.
Survivors include: son, Dustin Higginbotham of Jackson; daughters, Laura Garrett of Pensacola, Fla., Jenny and Leanne Higginbotham, both of Jackson; brother, John Higginbotham of Spokane, Wash.; sister, Louise Smith of San Diego, Calif.; grandchildren, Corey and Keir Garrett of Pensacola; and numerous relatives and friends.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.

The Sun Herald 02/23/2006

Vivian Inez Perez Higginbotham (1912-2006) AL/MS
Vivian Higginbotham, a native of Pascagoula and widow of Prieur Jay Higginbotham, Sr., died on Tuesday, February 21 2006 in Mobile, AL in her 94th year.
Mrs. Higginbotham was born in Pascagoula on November 18, 1912, daughter of Vincente Pe'rez and Maude Irene Davis of Pascagoula. On her father's side she was descended from the earliest settlers of Mobile, Ocean Springs, Gautier, Dauphin Island and Pascagoula.
She attended the Pascagoula Public Schools, excelling in drama, music and athletics. She spent her youth in Pascagoula and in Mobile where her grandmother, sister and numerous relatives lived.
In 1931, she entered Mississippi Woman's College in Hattiesburg, where she majored in music and foreign languages. She was president of her class and president of the Spanish Club, and was selected by the student body as "Most Versatile," and "Most Popular."
After her graduation, she began her teaching career in the public schools. From 1935 until 1968, she taught English, Spanish and French, while directing numerous plays, musicals and operettas, as well as the Pascagoula High School Chorus. In the 1950's she founded and was the first director of Choraliers.
In 1936 she married Prieur Jay Higginbotham, Sr. and had three children Prieur Jay, Mary Kay and Richard Dale.
"Miss Higgy" as she was fondly known, was active in numerous civic activities, such as the Woman's Club and Anola Club, of which she served as President. She also served on the library board for nearly a quarter-century, and as chairman for several years. She ran several times in the Azalea Trail Race in Mobile during the early 1980's.
She began as pianist for the Baptist Church in Pascagoula in 1924 at the age of 12. Later, she became organist and served in that capacity for 73 years. In addition, she played for hundreds of weddings, funeral and social functions and played for the Pascagoula High School graduation exercises until 1996.
An ardent feminist, she was among the first women in Jackson County to run for public office and was only narrowly defeated in 1965 for the Pascagoula City Council.
In 1996, she appeared on NBC's "Today Show" playing the piano and speaking about one of her long-time friends and former pupils, Trent Lott.
Mrs. Higginbotham is survived by her three children, Jay Higginbotham of Mobile, AL; Mary Kay Parrish of Shawnee, OK; and Dale Higginbotham of Natchitoches, LA; seven grandchildren: Jeanne-Mercier, Denis Prieur, Robert, John Michael, Robin, Amelia, and Julia; three great-grandchildren, Carson, Holly and Kerrie, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives.
Visitation will be Friday, February 24 , 2006 at O'Bryant-O'Keefe Funeral Home in Pascagoula from 7-9 pm. Funeral Services will be Saturday, February 25, 2006 at 2:00pm from the First Baptist Church of Pascagoula with visitation one hour prior to service. Interment will follow at Old Spanish Fort Cemetery also known as Krebs Cemetery in Pascagoula.
Mike Flechas, Gary Greenough, John Wilkinson, Bill Lambert, Joe Webb, Gary Holland, Bobby Canty, and John Corlew will serve as pallbearers.
Arrangements by O'Bryant-O'Keefe Funeral Home , Pascagoula, MS.
 

The Meridian Star 04/02/2006

Edyth Higginbotham Smith Dearman (1920-2006) MS
Retired
Services for Edyth H. Dearman will be held today at 11:30 a.m. at Barham Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Claude Fleming officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery.
Mrs. Dearman, 85, of Union, died Thursday, March 30, 2006, in Union. She was retired from the State Employment Agency. She was a member of Highland Methodist Church.
Survivors include her nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, John Smith and Bryant Dearman; sisters, Ruby Vaughn, Pauline Rosales and Sallie Taylor; brothers, Asberry Higginbotham and Willie Frank Jackson Higginbotham.
Memorials may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association.
Visitation will be today from 10 a.m. until service time at the funeral home.

The Sun Herald 05/24/2006

Myrtis Harriett Marshall Morrison Higginbotham (1920-2006) AL/MS 
Mrs. Myrtis Morrison Higginbotham, age 86, of Ocean Springs, MS., died Tuesday, May 23, 2006, in Ocean Springs.
Mrs. Higginbotham was a lifelong resident of the coast and a native of Alabama. She was a former member of the Les Femmes Mardi Gras Association.
She was preceded in death by parents, Charles and Mae Ethridge Marshall, first husband, Charles Morrison, four sisters, Violet, Eva, Helen and Vera, and brother, Charles Marshall.
Survivors include her husband of 32 years, James J. Higginbotham of Ocean Springs, MS., a son, Robert E. (Barbara) Morrison of Nashville, TN., one stepdaughter, Mary Grace Klobe, four stepsons, Gary (Carolyn) Higginbotham, Carroll J. (Mary K.) Higginbotham, Johnny Higginbotham and Eugene P. (Ila) Higginbotham, a brother, George (Helga) Marshall, two granddaughters, Wendy (Van) Kussrow and Andria Morrison, one great-granddaughter, Emily, five step grandchildren, and six step great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be on Thursday, May 25, 2006, from 5-8 PM, at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home. On Friday, May 26, 2006, there will be a 10:30 AM chapel service in the funeral home. Burial will follow in Biloxi City Cemetery.
The family would like to thank the Alternative Personal Care Home, Melissa and Brian Webster, June, Kristy, Victoria, Eva, Fay, Meeka and Southern Care Hospice.
View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com.

06/30/2006

Patricia Dean Weeks Higginbotham (1939-2006) MS

HOULKA - Patricia Dean Weeks Higginbotham, 67, died Wednesday, June 28, 2006, at her home in Houlka. She was born April 27, 1939, in Chickasaw County to Leonard Weeks and Pauline "Polly" Riley Weeks, who preceded her in death. She was a retired employee of the shipping department at Delta Trouser in Okolona and a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Okolona. Services will be at 10 a.m. today at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Okolona with Minister Billy Butler officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery in Houlka. Houston Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will continue from 9 a.m. to service time today at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Okolona. Friends may sign the guestbook at www.houstonfuneralhomems.com.

The Sun Herald 04/13/2007

Marie Dartez Higginbotham (1922-2007) LA/MS
Mrs. Marie Higginbotham, 84, of Ocean Springs died Wednesday April 11, 2007 in Ocean Springs.
Mrs. Higginbotham was a native of Kaplin, LA. and has been a resident of Biloxi since 1941.
She was a member of Blessed Seelos Catholic Church (St. John Catholic Church 910 Lameuse St. Biloxi ). She was a member of the Fleur de Lis Ladies Auxiliary, former employee of Gorenflo Elementary School in the cafeteria.
Mrs. Higginbotham is preceded in death by a daughter, Linda Williams.
She is survived by her husband Belin "Bill" Higginbotham SR; two daughters, Sylvia Fallo, and Claire Kingsland, both of Las Vegas, Nevada; two sons Billy Higginbotham of Birmingham, Alabama, and Michael Higginbotham, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; two brothers, Sidney Dartez of Kaplin, Louisiana, and Whitney Dartez of Houston, Texas, 13 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be on Saturday, April 14, 2007 at the Blessed Seelos Catholic Church from 11:00 until 1:00. Services will be at 1:00 p.m. with burial to follow at Biloxi City Cemetery.
In Lieu of flowers the family prefers a donation to be made to the Alzheimer's Association MS Gulf Coast Chapter P.O. Box 4361 Biloxi, Ms. 39533.
View and sign register book @ www.bradfordokeefe.com.

The Daily Journal 06/29/2007

Velma Phillips Higginbotham (1916-2007) AL/MS
WEST POINT - Velma "Whitie" Higginbotham, 91, died Thursday, June 28, 2007, at the North Mississippi Medical Center in West Point. She was born April 29, 1916, in Montgomery, Ala. She was a homemaker and a member of Gospel Lighthouse Pentecostal Church of God.
Services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at Robinson Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Jerry Allen officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery in West Point.
Survivors include three sons, Gerald "Jerry" Higginbotham of West Point, Huey Higginbotham of Aberdeen and Benny Bentley of Tampa, Fla.; one daughter, Patricia Clinton of West Point; four granddaughters, Vicki Busbin, Bit Strickland (Elvis) and Resa Hannah (Doug), all of West Point, and Ellen Williams (Tim) of Columbus; two grandsons, Jimmy Higginbotham (Tina) of Nashville and Chad Bentley of Tampa; eight great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Nelson E. Higginbotham; her parents, Rosa Ellen Kenney and George Newt Phillips; a son, Ted Higginbotham; a granddaughter, Heather Zaragoza; a grandson, Joseph Higginbotham; four brothers, William Phillips, Val Phillips, W.C. Phillips and David Phillips; and three sisters, Maude Moore, Almer Jefferies and Thelma "Blackie" Bentley.
Pallbearers will be grandsons and great-grandsons: Jimmy Higginbotham, Jamie Busbin, Jason Hannah, Treavor Hill, Joshua Busbin, Beau Strickland, Brandon Hannah and Chad Bentley.
Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. T.N. Braddock, Elvis Strickland, Doug Hannah and Tim Williams.
Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Gospel Light House Building Fund, 512 Old White Road, West Point, MS 39773.
 

The Daily Journal 06/30/2007

Eva Neal Higginbotham (1929-2007) MS
NETTLETON – Eva Neal Higginbotham, 78, died Thursday, June 28, 2007, at Gilmore Memorial Regional Medical Center in Amory after a long illness. She was born March 27, 1929, in Lee County to Mabry and Mattie Edwards Neal. She was a lifelong resident of Nettleton. She was a homemaker and a member of Limestone Baptist Church. She enjoyed cooking for her family and friends.
Services will be at 2 p.m. today at the Chapel of Tisdale-Lann Memorial Funeral Home in Nettleton with Bro. Tommy Whaley and Bro. Don Sparks officiating. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery.
Survivors include two daughters, Glenda Jones (Jerry) of Nettleton and Brenda Grayson (Buddy) of Petal; two sisters, June Mann (Buddy) of Nettleton and Carlene Loveless of Red Bay, Ala.; one brother, William Neal (Marcelle) of Nettleton; two sisters-in-law, Barbara Neal and Ann Neal, both of Nettleton; two grandchildren, Leigh Anne Eaton (Kenny) and Jason Jones; two stepgrandchildren, William Grayson and Jacob Grayson; one great-granddaughter, Shelby Lyn Eaton.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, William Edward Higginbotham; her parents; and two brothers, Lee Albert Neal and Herman Dorrist “Red” Neal.
Pallbearers will be Bobby Neal, Junior Neal, Larry Stacy, Bobby Barron, Rickey Higginbotham and Thomas Neal.
Honorary pallbearers will be Kenny Wayne Eaton, Jason Jones, Chuck Jones, Jacob Grayson, William Grayson II, Brandon Grayson and Bryson Stacy.
Visitation will continue from 10 a.m. to service time today at the funeral home.
 

The Sun Herald 09/26/2007
Mary Jewell Krohn Higginbotham (1925-2007) LA/MS

Jewell Higginbotham, 82, of Biloxi, died Monday, September 24, 2007 at Ocean Springs Hospital.
Mrs. Jewell was born February 21, 1925 in Bayou La Batre, LA but spent most of her life in Biloxi, MS. She was the daughter of John Franklin Krohn and Ada Krohn Mims. Jewell was a loving wife for 66 years, a devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother of eleven children, twenty grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren as well as a friend to all. Her entire married life was devoted to her family. She was a homemaker, a teacher, a health care provider, counselor and disciplinarian with many threats seldom carried out. Mrs. Jewell was a parishioner of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Woolmarket and a long time supporter of Blessed Seelos Parish, formerly St. John's of Biloxi.
She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Franklin Cecil Krohn, one sister, Ada Mae Krohn and sons, Johnny Nelson and Scott James.
She is survived by her husband, George Joseph Higginbotham, five daughters, Brenda (James) LeGrone, Donna (Walter) Brightman, Sandra, Debbye, Lori (Clyde) Jacquet Jr., and four sons, Kenneth (Donna), Richard (Diane), Gregory (Cozy), Keith and long time friend, Becky Phillips. Her grandchildren are Walter and Jamie Brightman, Kenny (Linda), Kweens, Julie Stone, Archie (Stephanie) LeGrone, Kim (Eddie) Rodgers, Josh (Joy) Duncan, Michael (Michelle) Duncan, Amber (Chris) Thibodeaux, Ashley (Sonny) Seymour, Angie (Ricky) Hood, Christina and Matthew Compton, Shawn Jacquet, April (Nick) Gruich, Amanda (Johnny) White, Drew Higginbotham, Amy Higginbotham, Bayleigh Thornton, Sydney Cannette, great grandchildren, Abby Yocom, Aaron and Adam Stone, Mikey and Jack Duncan, Hunter Rodgers, Cole and Greyson Thibodeaux, Aubrey and Aiden Seymour, Jaylin White.
Family prefers memorials to St. Vincent DePaul Pharmacy, 735 Division St., Biloxi, MS 39530.
Visitation is Thursday, September 27, 2007 at Blessed Seelos Catholic Church (St. John's), Biloxi from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1:00 p.m. Interment at Biloxi City Cemetery.

The Sun Herald 12/09/2007

Curtis James Higginbotham Sr. (1922-2007) LA/MS
Mr. Curtis James Higginbotham, Sr., age 85, of Ocean Springs, MS., died Friday, December 7, 2007, in Ocean Springs.
Mr. Higginbotham was a native of Youngsville, LA., and a lifelong resident of the coast. He was in the U.S. Marine Corps and was a veteran of WWII and the Korean War. He was formerly employed at Ingalls Shipbuilding and retired from the City of Biloxi as a Supervisor in the water department. Mr. Higginbotham was a member of St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church and a former member of the B.P.O.E. in Biloxi.
He was preceded in death by his son, David Higginbotham, his parents, Edna and Nelson Higginbotham, and a brother Carey Higginbotham.
Survivors include his wife of thirty years, Sandra B. Higginbotham of Ocean Springs, MS., three daughters, Carol (Dale) Beaulier of Biloxi, MS., Mary (Henry) Rogers of Vancleave, MS., and Kathy (Randy) Brewer of Ocean Springs, MS., three sons, Curtis J. (Lyndene) Higginbotham, Jr. of Vail, AZ., Don (Lynne) Higginbotham of Houston, TX., and Lynn Higginbotham of Fort Walton Beach, FL., three sisters, Rose Mary (Milton) Tiblier, Melba Ruth Higginbotham, Shirley Parker, three brothers, Percy (Dee) Higginbotham, George Higginbotham, and Dennis (Alta Mae) Higginbotham, seventeen grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and his loving pets, Taco, Gizmo, and Nacho.
Visitation will be on Monday, December 10, 2007, from 11 AM - 1 PM, with a 1 PM Mass of Christian Burial, all at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Biloxi City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family prefers donations be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Attention: Memorial/Honor Program, #1 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN. 38148-0552 or to St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, 4900 Riley Rd., Ocean Springs, MS. 39564.
The Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

 

Natchez Democrat

Connie Rena Higginbotham Freeman (1960-2007)
NATCHEZ — Services for Connie Freeman, 47, of Natchez, who died Friday, Dec. 21, 2007, at Natchez Community Hospital, were 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23, 2007, at First Baptist Church, in Natchez, with the Rev. Bart Walker officiating.
Burial followed at Greenlawn Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.
Mrs. Freeman was born Oct. 13, 1960, in Natchez, the daughter of Rush Higginbotham and Margie Gray. She was employed by the Natchez Public School System as a teacher until her retirement in 2007.
She was preceded in death by her birth mother; her grandparents, W.C. and Blanch Higginbotham, W.A. and Mary Gray and Robert Lee and Mary Thatch.
Survivors include her husband, Danny Freeman; sons Joshua and Matthew Freeman, all of Natchez; father, Rush Higginbotham and mother, Betty Higginbotham, both of Shreveport, La.; sisters, Ellen Densford and husband, Bruce, both of Grand Prairie, Texas and Janet Gould and husband, Jerry, both of Shreveport; nephews, Cameron Densford and David Gould; niece, Alexa Densford; and a number of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Pallbearers were Kyle Ketchings, Clint Eason, Parker Brumfield, Jeremy Waldrop, John Griffey and Mark Harveston.
Honorary pallbearers will be the varsity and junior varsity football teams of Trinity Episcopal Day School.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Parkway Baptist Church building fund or Parkway Baptist Church Relay for Life Team.
The Freeman family would like to thank Dr. Jack Rodriguez and staff for their care and support.

 

Enterprise Journal 01/23/2008
Willie Dean Higginbotham (1959-2008) AR/MS
Dean Higginbotham, 48, of Tylertown, died Jan. 20, 2008, from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident in Pike County.
Visitation is 10 a.m. Thursday at Hartman-Hughes Funeral Home in Tylertown until services there at 1 p.m. The Rev. Craig Wells will officiate. Burial will be in Tylertown Cemetery II.
Mr. Higginbotham was born June 2, 1959, in New Port, Ark. He was the son of Jimmy Delane Higginbotham and Lena Mae Watson.
He was a self-employed plumber and a member of House of Faith Church in Slidell, La.
He was preceded in death by a son, Brian Edward Higginbotham.
Survivors include his wife, Marcianna Parker Higginbotham of Tylertown; a son, Jared Robert Dean and wife Katie Higginbotham of Virginia Beach, Va.; two daughters, Britany Ochs and her mother Janet of Detroit, and Jennifer Lynn Dupuy and husband Wesley of Slidell, La.; his mother and stepfather, Lena Mae and Bill Watson of Miami, Texas; mother-in-law, Dinah Miller of Slidell; two brothers, Billy Wayne Higginbotham of Monroe, La., and Jimmy Earl Higginbotham of Memphis, Tenn.; two sisters, Delores Higginbotham of Oklahoma and Honey MaeAnne Stinson and husband Max of Tylertown; two grandchildren, Haley and Brooke Ochs; and an extended family of brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, in-laws and friends.
Pallbearers are Max Stinson, Neal Stinson, Ricky Kennedy, Michael Grubbs, Jeffrey R. Parker and Wesley A. Dupuy. Honorary pallbearers will be Jeff Fairburn, Terry Boyd, Gary Harvey and Patrick Salina.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to the family are requested.

Daily Journal 04/20/2008

Jeanette Moree Higginbotham Ridings Smothers (1923-2008) MS

ABERDEEN - Jeanette Ridings Smothers, 84, died Friday, April 18, 2008, at Darlington Oaks Community Hospice in Verona. She was born Sept. 14, 1923, in Houston to Harry Higginbotham and Kizzie Foster Higginbotham. She graduated from Pine Grove High School. She was a resident of Aberdeen for the past 65 years. She was a homemaker and a member of Friendship Baptist Church. She was a retired supervisor for Sharp Manufacturing, where she worked for 30 years. She was the owner of a fabric store. Services will be at 2 p.m. today at Tisdale-Lann Memorial Chapel in Aberdeen with Bro. Mark Thornton officiating. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery. Survivors include her husband, Robert E. Smothers of Aberdeen; one daughter, Faye Lusby (Gene) of Nesbit; two sons, Eddie Ridings (Debra) of Aberdeen and Joey Ridings (Kim) of Millport, Ala.; one stepdaughter, Donna Scarbrough (Brent) of Chandler, Ariz.; two stepsons, Jerry Smothers (Ann) of Aberdeen and Larry Smothers (Debra) of West Point; 14 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren; two nieces, Eva Sprayberry and Barbara Parker; her caregivers, Billy and Iva Nell Pruett, and Ruth Coy. She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Will Ed Ridings; and five brothers and sisters. Pallbearers will be deacons of Friendship Baptist Church in Aberdeen. Donations may be made to Community Hospice Inc., P.O. Box 333, Sherman, MS 38869.

Clarion Ledger 06/08/2008

Verlin Daniel Higginbotham (1946-2008) MS

COLLINS - Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Wade-Nowell Funeral Home chapel in Collins for Pete Higginbotham, 61, of Collins, who died June 6, 2008, at University Medical Center in Jackson. Burial will be in McDonald Chapel Cemetery. Mr. Higginbotham was a retired plant manager for D&L Veneer Mill, funeral director and member of McDonald Chapel Presbyterian Church. He also was a member of the Huddle House Coffee Club and Okatoma Cruisers Car Club. He was preceded in death by his parents, Abraham and Justine Blanchard Higginbotham. Survivors include his wife, Cathy Higginbotham of Collins; a son, Brent Wilson of San Francisco; three daughters, Lee Higginbotham of San Francisco, Lisa Burger of Maryville, Tenn., and Hope Higginbotham of Port Arthur, Texas; three sisters, Gloria Habetz of Rayne, La., Bernadine Thibodeaux of Eunice, La., and Belva Jean Morrison of Lewisburg, La.; and two grandchildren. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with a rosary mass following the visitation.

Neshoba Democrat 06/11/2008 

Mary Christine Long Higginbotham (1933-2008) MS

Services for Christine Higginbotham were held Friday, June 6, 2008, at 11 a.m. from the chapel of McClain-Hays Funeral Home. The Rev. Duaine Morgan and the Rev. Tom McCurley officiated. Burial followed in Eastlawn Cemetery. Mrs. Higginbotham, 75, died Wednesday, June 4, 2008, in Rush Foundation Hospital in Meridian. She was a native of the Forestdale community in Neshoba County but had been a resident of the Burnside Community for the past 32 years. Mrs. Higginbotham was a Methodist by faith. Survivors include her husband, William L. "Bill" Higginbotham of Philadelphia; daughters, Debra Johnson of Rio Rancho, N.M. and Denise Butler of Philadelphia; son, Byron Higginbotham of Philadelphia; two grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; sister Earline Eubanks; and brother, Jay Long, both of Philadelphia. Pallbearers were Lee Dennis, Bennie Dennis, Jeb Stewart, Ted Long, Rocky Parks, Rick Parks and Johnny Stuart.

Florence Times Daily 11/14/2008

Billy D. Higginbotham (1937-2008) MS

GOLDEN, MISS. Bill Higginbotham, 71, died Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008. There will be no visitation or funeral. Deaton Funeral Home, Belmont, is assisting the family. He was the son of the late William Dillard and Thelma Pauline Creed Higginbotham.

11/25/2008

Eunice Beatrice Kiger Higginbotham Pierce (1931-2008) MS

Services for Eunice Kiger Mueller, of Brookhaven, are 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26, at Brookhaven Funeral Home Chapel on Natchez Drive with burial in Easthaven Cemetery. Visitation is Tuesday from 5 until 9 p.m. at the funeral home. Mrs. Mueller, 77, entered into her eternal home on Nov. 23, 2008, at Select Specialty Hospital in Ridgeland. She was born in Dublin on June 24, 1931, to Lindsey Boyd Kiger and Gertie Mae Hatfield. She was in the field of nursing. She attended Brookhaven Church of God. Preceding her in death were her parents; her former husband, Otis Higginbotham; and a daughter, Patricia Berry. Survivors are her five daughters and sons-in-law, Martha Grice and husband, Toby, of Pearl, Carole Boyte and husband, Wayne, Sue Barnett and husband, Roy, Marilyn Cotton and husband, Steve, all of Brookhaven, and Wanda Rowe and husband, Danny, of Midland, Texas; her loving husband and companion, Danny Pierce, of Columbus; and her loving pet of 14 years, Susie.

Chickasaw Journal 01/14/2009

Jimmy Dale Higginbotham (1941-2009) MS

HOULKA – Jimmy Dale Higginbotham, 67, died Monday, Jan. 12, 2009 at his home in Houlka. He was born in Vardaman to Earlie Higginbotham and Ola Frances Wiggs Higginbotham. He was a disabled U.S. Navy veteran and a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Okolona. Services will be held Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009 at 10 a.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Okolona with Mr. Billy Butler officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Houlka. Survivors include one sister, Frances Vance and husband, Johnny, of Conway, Ark.; one brother, Billy Higginbotham and wife, Josephine, of Houlka. He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Weeks Higginbotham on June 28, 2006; his parents.

The Panolian 01/23/2009

Peggy Sue Doty Higginbotham (1933-2009) MS

BATESVILLE-- Peggy Sue Doty Higginbotham, 75, died Wednesday, January 21, 2009, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Desoto. Services are today at 2 p.m. at Wells Funeral Home. Rev. Terry Floyd will officiate. Visitation is today noon until service time at the funeral home. Burial will be in Forrest Memorial Park Cemetery. Wells Funeral Home has charge. Higginbotham, born July 3, 1933, in Boyle, to the late Tallmage and Ita Ray Doty, was a homemaker and a member of First Faith Baptist Church. Survivors include: her husband, Charlie F. Higginbotham of Batesville; one daughter, Debbie Higginbotham Richardson of Southaven; one son, Charles Lynn Higginbotham of Batesville; two brothers, Irby Doty of Kosciusko and David Doty of Wellington, S.C.; three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

The Mississippi Press 03/01/2009

Bennie Higginbotham Jr. (1929-2009) MS

HIGGINBOTHAM Mr. Bennie Higginbotham, Jr.- 79, died Friday, February 27th, at his home in the Nanih Waiya community. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Monday, March 2nd, at Porter Funeral Home with Rev. Gerald Butler officiating. Interment will be in Serene Memorial Garden in Moss Point, MS. Visitation is from 4:30 to 8:00 PM Sunday at the funeral home. Mr. Higginbotham was born December 9, 1929, in Kemper County. He was a retired welder. He is survived by his wife, Mary Miller Higginbotham; two daughters, Barbara Bean Hitt of Preston, and Brenda Butler of Shuqualak, MS; a son, Gary Ray Higginbotham, Sr. of Hurley, MS; a sister, Ada Akers of Michigan; a brother, R. T. Higginbotham of Collins, MS; 8 grandchildren, and 22 great grandchildren.

Sun Herald 03/04/2009

Belin Joseph Higginbotham Sr. (1914-2009) LA/MS/NV

Mr. Belin (Bill) Higginbotham, Sr., age 94, passed away peacefully in his home February 25, 2009 in Las Vegas, NV with his daughters and grandchildren by his side. Mr. Higginbotham was a native of Youngsville, LA, and a lifelong resident of the Coast until recently he moved to Las Vegas, NV to live with his daughters. He served in the US Coast Guard and was a veteran of WWII. He was a boat builder and retired from Ingalls Shipbuilding. Mr. Higginbotham was a member of Blessed Seelos Catholic Church and of the Fleur de lis Society. A loving husband and devoted father, he was born May 31, 1914 in Youngsville, LA. He was the seventh of ten children of James and Mary Verret Higginbotham. He enjoyed working with wood and was passionate about his garden. He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Marie Dartez Higginbotham and daughter, Linda Higginbotham Williams. Survivors include two daughters, Sylvia Fallo, Claire Kingsland, her husband Gary, of Las Vegas, NV, two sons, Billy Higginbotham, Jr., his wife Lori, of Birmingham, AL and Michael Higginbotham of Colorado Springs, CO, two brothers, James Higginbotham of Ocean Springs, MS and Stephen Higginbotham of Lafayette, LA, and 14 grandchildren Tina Marshall, her husband Jesse, Carl Williams, Jr., his wife Mary of Biloxi, MS, Stephen Williams of TN, Maria Fallo Strong, her husband Jimmy of Biloxi, MS, Fabian Fallo, his wife Heather of Spokane, WA, Angela Fallo Warren, her husband Jason of Deville, LA, Hilary Higginbotham of Birmingham, AL, Jeremiah Kingsland, Hollywood, CA, Gary, Jr., Jonathan, and Maren Kingsland, of Las Vegas, NV, Justin, Jozi and Jared (Elmo) Higginbotham of Colorado Springs, CO, 10 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill's name to Creekside Hospice, 3675 Pecos McLeod, Suite #900, Las Vegas, NV 89121. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 12 noon Saturday, March 7, 2009, at Blessed Seelos Catholic Church in Biloxi where friends may visit from 10 a.m. until service time. Interment will follow in Biloxi City Cemetery. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Howard Avenue, in Biloxi is in charge of arrangements.

Clarion Ledger 04/10/2009

James William Higginbotham (1946-2009) MS

Billy Higginbotham 62, died Thursday, April 9, 2009, in Leake Co. Services were at 2 p.m. Saturday at Jordan Funeral Home Chapel. Burial was in Center Hill Baptist Church Cemetery in the Conway Community.

The Daily Star 05/01/2009

Charles Ray Higginbotham (1940-2009) MS

Funeral services for Charles Ray Higginbotham, 68, native of Montgomery County, and currently of Grenada, are at 11 a.m. Saturday at Robinson Chapel in Grenada. Burial will follow in Bethel Cemetery in Kilmichael. Mr. Higginbotham died April 29, 2009, at Grenada Lake Medical Center. He was born Nov. 24, 1940, to the late J. W. Higginbotham and Bessie Henning Higginbotham. Survivors include his wife, Mary Higginbotham of Sidon, Miss.; two daughters, Mary L. Armstrong of Grenada and Geneva Higginbotham Vaughn of Jacksonville, Ark.; two brothers, C. D. Higginbotham of Murfreesboro, Tenn., and W. D. Higginbotham of Bell Buckle, Tenn.; an aunt, Ethel Donahoo of Winona; two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Eddie Robinson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

The Sun Herald 07/13/2009

Maria Anna  Higginbotham (1930-2009) Germany/MS

Mrs. Marianne Higginbotham, age 79, of Ocean Springs, MS., died Saturday, July 11, 2009, in Ocean Springs. Mrs. Higginbotham was a native of Dorfen, Germany and moved to the states in 1955. She settled on the coast in 1961 and traveled for many years with her husband who served in the US Air Force. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Higginbotham.

Survivors include two daughters, Brigitte Higginbotham and Elizabeth Adams, both of Ocean Springs, MS., son, Jack (Sharon) Higginbotham of Denham Springs, LA., two sisters, Paula Brock of Washington State and Irmgard Paudler of Dorfen, Germany, two grandchildren, Kristyn (Christopher) Turner of Ocean Springs, MS., and Jacklyn Higginbotham of Denham Springs, La., and three great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, July 14, 2009, from 5-7 PM, at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home. On Wednesday, July 15, 2009, there will be a 10 AM chapel service in the funeral home. Burial will follow in Crestlawn Memorial Park.

The Meridian Star 08/08/2009

Aubrey Lee Higginbotham Jr. (1950-2009) MS

Memorial services for Aubrey L. "Sonny" Higginbotham Jr. will be held Sunday at 4:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Collinsville with Rev. Hal Bates officiating. Mr. Higginbotham, 58, of Meridian, died Thursday, August 6, 2009, at Rush Hospital. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Collinsville. He was retired from Mississippi Power Company and was most recently employed with Lowes Building Supply. He was very proud to be a member of Builders for Christ and many other mission works. Survivors include his wife, Katheryn Drake Higginbotham, of Meridian; son, William "Bill" T. Higginbotham, of Meridian; daughter, Amy L. Higginbotham Baker, of Collinsville; three granddaughters, Hannah Marie Larkin  Jackson, Katelynn Ashley Jackson, and Rebecca Elizabeth Baker; mother, Mattie Higginbotham, of Pittsburg, Pa.; brothers, Jessie Bennett, of Madden, David Higginbotham, of Pittsburg, Pa., John Thomas Higginbotham, of Philadelphia, Pa., and Gary Higginbotham, of Cartersville, Ga.;  mother-in-law, Thelma Tucker Drake, of Greenwood; brother-in-law, Gregory A. Drake, of Lexington, Ky.; sister- in-law, Mary F. Droke, of Bartlett, Tenn.; and numerous nieces, nephews, and in-laws. He was preceded in death by his father, Aubrey L. Higginbotham Sr.; father- in-law, John Thomas Drake; and brother-in-law, Dr. Robert Earl Drake. Visitation will be Sunday, from 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the church.

The Neshoba Democrat 10/07/2009 

Clyde Higginbotham (1957-2009) MS

Services for Clyde "Buddy" Higginbotham were held Friday, Oct. 2 at 10 a.m. The Rev. Gerald Butler officiated with burial following at the Contrell Cemetery. Mr. Higginbotham, 52, died Tuesday, Sept. 29 at his home. He was preceded in death by stepson, Gary Jones, Jr. He is survived by his wife, Lora Higginbotham of Lena; son, Clyde Higginbotham, II of Philadelphia; four step-sons: Jeffrey Allen of Mt. Olive, George Allen of Morton, Johnny Allen of Morton and Michael Carrol of Lena and stepdaughter, Michelle Kilpatrick. Pallbearers were William Kilpatrick, Keith White, Jimmy Dale Watts, Jeffrey Allen, Michael Carrol, Joe Stevens and Luke Steward.

Commercial Dispatch 04/14/2010

Joseph Lamar Higginbotham (1926-2010) MS

SHUQUALAK - Joseph Lamar Higginbotham, 83, died April 12, 2010, at his residence. Services will be today at 2 p.m. at Butler Pentecostal Church with Bros. Gerald Butler, Bobby Joe Butler and Rayburn Druey officiating. Burial will be in Butler Cemetery. Cockrell Funeral Home of Macon is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Higginbotham was born Aug. 21, 1926, in Shuqualak to the late Johnny T. and Flora Butler Higginbotham. He attended Shuqualak Attendance Center and was a member of Butler Pentecostal Church. He worked at Macon Pants Factory in the shipping department for 23 years and retired from Boral Brick as a clay miner. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by daughter, Debbie Jo Eaves; son, Roger Higginbotham, and a granddaughter. Survivors include his wife, Mildred Eaves Higginbotham, of Shuqualak; daughters, Barb Largio, of Witt, Ill., Janice Martin, of Shuqualak, and Lisa Abraham, of Trenton, Ga.; sister, Virginia Vernon, of Shuqualak; brothers, Gilbert Higginbotham, of Louisville, and Reginal Higginbotham, of Shuqualak; seven grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Pallbearers will be Rocky Higginbotham, Todd Eaves, T.J. Randall, Ronnie Higginbotham, John David Higginbotham, Wayne Eaves and Bill Jones. Honorary pallbearers will be Wayne Eaves, Phillip Eaves, Allen Faves, Willis Jones, Jimmy Coleman, Tommy Coleman and Eddie Coleman. Memorials may be made to Butler Pentecostal Church, 3125 Butler Road, Macon, MS 39341.

The Sun Herald 06/24/2010

Mary Rose Higginbotham (1951-2010) TN/MS

Mrs. Mary "Diane" Rose Higginbotham, passed from this life peacefully by her family's side on June 22, 2010 in Ocean Springs, MS. Diane was born January 13, 1951, in Clinton, TN. to Zenith and Nava Lou Rose. She was of the Catholic faith. She was a graduate of Biloxi High School class of 1969. She loved the simple things in life: family, friends and her faith. Before her illness, she loved doing for others. She always looked forward to the holidays, family gatherings and being with her nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Zenith Rose; grandparents, Charlie and Tempy Rose; Ira Jewel Dunaway and Lillie Dunaway. Her mother-in-law Jewell Higginbotham, brothers-in-law, Johnny and Scott Higginbotham. Grandparents -in-law Nelson (Edna) Higginbotham, Ada Mims. She is survived by her loving husband of 39 years, Richard Higginbotham. He was her devoted caregiver for 35 years. Her precious daughter, Amber Rose (Christopher) Thibodeaux and her two adorable grandsons, Greyson and Cole Thibodeaux; her mother Nava Lou Rose; sister, Betty Rose (Jim) Hinton; four brothers, Zenith R. (Freda) Rose , Kenneth M. Rose, Richard (Debbie) Rose, David (Patty) Rose ; father-in-law George Higginbotham ; six sisters-in-law; Maria Hamilton Brenda (James) LeGrone, Donna (Walter) Brightman, Sandy Higginbotham, Debbye Higginbotham, Lori (Clyde) Jacquet, Susan Higginbotham; brothers-in-law, Kenneth (Donna) Higginbotham, Keith (Ann) Higginbotham, Greg (Cozy) Higginbotham, and numerous nieces and nephews. Her very special uncle, Doyle (Marjorie) Dunaway and special friend and caregiver, Rebecca Phillips. The family would like to thank all her caregivers, doctors, nurses, family and friends. A special thanks is given to deceased caregiver and friend Ms. Marcella Covacevich. Funeral services will be held Friday, June 25, 2010 at the Blessed Seelos (St. John's) Catholic Church. Friends may visit at 11:00 a.m. until mass time at 1:00 p.m. Burial will be at Biloxi City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Diane's memory to St. Vincent De Paul Pharmacy, P.O. Box 1228, Biloxi, MS. 39533, or to St Jude's Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN. 38101-9929.

Commercial Dispatch 08/01/2010

Gerald Leroy Higginbotham (1938-2010) MS

WEST POINT - Gerald L. "Jerry" Higginbotham, 72, died July 29, 2010, at North Mississippi Medical Center in West Point. Services are Monday at 3:30 p.m. at Robinson Chapel with the Revs. Monte Crosswhite and Robert Henley officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation is Monday from 1 p.m. until service time at Robinson Funeral Home. Higginbotham was born June 17, 1938, in West Point to the late Iola Smith and John Higginbotham. He served in the U.S. Army and retired from B&W. He was a minister and member of the Gospel Light House Pentecostal Church of God. He is survived by his brothers, John Huey Higginbotham, of Aberdeen, and Benny Bentley, of Tampa, Fla.; and a sister, Pat Clinton, of West Point.

Clarion Ledger 03/01/2011

Gilbert Evans Higginbotham (1930-2011) MS

Mr. Gilbert Higginbotham, 80, passed away on Monday, February 28, 2011, at Winston Medical Center in Louisville, Mississippi. Visitation will be at Butler Pentecostal Church in Noxubee County, on Tuesday, March 1, 2011, from 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 2, 2011, at Butler Pentecostal Church with Rev. Gerald Butler and Rev. Allen Eaves officiating. Interment will follow in Butler Cemetery in Shuqualak, Mississippi. He was born June 14, 1930, to Johnny T. and Flora Butler Higginbotham. Mr. Higginbotham, a retired logger, was a member of the Butler Pentecostal Church. During World War II, he answered the call to serve his country in the U. S. Army. He is survived by his wife, Doris Collins Higginbotham of Louisville, Mississippi; one daughter, Carolyn Rogers of Brandon, Mississippi; one son, Laverne Collins of Houston, Mississippi; one sister, Virginia Vernon and one brother, Reg Higginbotham both of Shuqualak, Mississippi; four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Johnny T. and Flora Butler Higginbotham and a brother, Lamar Higginbotham. Pallbearers will be Robert Higginbotham, Wayne Eaves, Billy Rogers, Randy Martin, Ronnie Higginbotham, and John David Higginbotham. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association. Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, Mississippi, is handling local arrangements.

Clarion Ledger 06/01/2011

Louie Mae Lee Higginbotham (1917-2011) MS

Macon-Mrs. Louie Mae Higginbotham, 94, of Macon, MS passed away Sunday, May 29, 2011 at Noxubee County Nursing Home. She was born on February 25, 1917 to Fulton Ervin and Annie Woodfin Lee of Mashulaville, Mississippi. She was a graduate of East Mississippi Junior College. She taught school and later retired from the Mississippi Department of Social Services where she was a case worker and director of the Noxubee County Food Stamp Division. She was very dedicated to her church, Mashulaville Baptist Church, all her life and led the music there until she moved to Macon in 1995, where she then joined First Baptist Church. She was very civic minded and belonged to the Macon Pilot Club, which she served as President for two terms. She was also a member of the Noxubee Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy and was the granddaughter of Fulton Monroe Lee, who served as a soldier for the Confederacy. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William T. Higginbotham. Mrs. Higginbotham is survived by her seven children: Travis Higginbotham(Gary Lois); Linda Brookhart; Leon Higginbotham (Coleene); Nita Royal (Mike); Janice Windham (Phil);Yvonne Barge (David);and Randy Higginbotham (Mona). She is also survived by seven grandchildren: Ashley Windham; Haley Montgomery (Mike); Don Higginbotham; Rhonda Cooper (Joey); Jason Higginbotham (Laycee); Laura Byrd (Bryan)and Christopher Davis (April). Also left to mourn her passing are nine great-grandchildren: Kyle, Sam and Justin Cooper; Jaycee and Kaylee Higginbotham; Will Higginbotham; Travis, Elisha, and Maggie Montgomery and Lillian Madison Byrd. She also has one surviving brother: Charles Lee of Columbus, MS. Mrs. Higginbotham's funeral will be held at Mashulaville Baptist Church on Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at 11:00 A.M with Bro. Bill Duncan officiating. Interment will follow in Mashulaville Cemetery. A visitation will be held Tuesday evening from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. at Cockrell Funeral Home in Macon. Memorials may be made to a favorite charity.

The Sun Herald 07/03/2011

Marie Shirley Higginbotham Parker (1934-2011) LA/MS

Marie Shirley Higginbotham Parker, 76, of Biloxi, MS passed from the bonds of this earth into the arms of our Lord on Thursday, June 29, 2011. Shirley was born on November 29, 1934 in New Iberia, LA, moved to Biloxi as a young girl and spent the rest of her life here. She retired Civil Service from Keesler Air Force Base in 1993, was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Woolmarket and was a loving and devoted mother. She will be dearly missed. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Nelson and Edna (Delcambre) Higginbotham and three brothers, Percy, Curtis and Carey Higginbotham. She is survived by her four children, three daughters, Suzanne Crawford and husband, Harry of Sierra Vista, AZ, Janine Vonderhaar and husband, Jim of Sugarland, TX, Jaime Denmark and husband, George of Biloxi and her son, John E. Parker, Jr. of Biloxi along with nine grandchildren, Heather Zimmerman, Harry Crawford III, Chase Denmark, Heidi Crawford, Jordan Vonderhaar, Lindsey Parker, Sean Crawford, Tyler Parker and Abby Crawford; three great-grandchildren, Brennen, Bryce and Brandt Welsh; two sisters, Rose Mary Tiblier and Melba Higginbotham and two brothers, George and Dennis Higginbotham. The family would like to thank Dr. Wall and Memorial Oncology Staff, Deaconess Home Health Care and Hospice for all their love and care they gave. It was greatly appreciated. A Mass of Christian burial will be on Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Woolmarket. Friends may visit from 10:00 a.m. until service time. Interment will follow in Biloxi City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family prefers donations in honor of Shirley be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, www.pancan.org Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Howard Avenue, Biloxi is in charge of arrangements.

The Commercial Appeal 07/16/2011

Charlie Fonzo Higginbotham (1932-2011) MS

December 21, 1932 - July 15, 2011

Mr. Charlie F. Higginbotham, age 78, died July 15, 2011 at his daughter's home in Southaven, MS. Funeral service will be 11:00 A.M. Monday, July 18, 2011 at Wells Funeral Home Chapel with interment in Forrest Memorial Park. Reverend Terry Floyd will be officiating. Visitation will begin one hour to services at 10:00 A.M. Charlie was born December 21, 1932 to the late Charlie Funzo and Verdie Bea Higginbotham. From 1951 to 1955, Charlie served our country in the U.S. Air Force, being stationed in Greenland. When Charlie returned from service, he began his career in painting and retired over fifty years later, having owned his own painting business. Charlie was a member of First Faith Baptist Church. He is survived by a daughter, Debbie Higginbotham Richardson of Southaven, MS; son, Charles Lynn Higginbotham of Batesville, MS; sister, Lillie Mae Clark of Memphis, TN; three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Hattiesburg American 07/28/2011

Elmer Jewel Higginbotham (1943-2011) MS

Elmer J. Higginbotham, 68, of Ellisville, MS, died Tuesday, July 26, 2011 at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg, MS. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, July 29, 2011 at First Baptist Church of Ellisville in Ellisville, Ms with Dr. Alan Woodward and Dr. Frank Gunn officiating. Burial will be in Ellisville City Cemetery. Ellisville Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, 601-477-3797 Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 28, 2011 from 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at Ellisville Funeral Home . Mr. Higginbotham was a Deacon of the First Baptist Church of Ellisville, an active Gideon, Member of the Lions Club, and MSU Bulldog Club. In 2004 he was inducted into the East Mississippi Community College Sports Hall of Fame Class, and elected to the 2011 JCJC Sports Hall of Fame Class. He was a faithful supporter of JCJC and Miss. State athletics. He coached football for 26 years, and was a local business owner until his retirement in 2008. His favorite retirement hobbies were spoiling his grandsons, gardening with his wife, attending sports events, having coffee with his buddies and serving in his church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Grady T. Higginbotham and Ollie Mae Patterson Higginbotham. He is survived by his wife: Sandra Perkins Higginbotham of Ellisville Daughters: Michele Whittle (Tim) of West Point and Mary Boleware (Garland) of Hattiesburg Brother: Ray Higginbotham (Jean) of Macon Sisters: Marie Vernon (J.W.) of Macon; Nancy Andre (Lenny) of Collierville, TN and Peggy Jernigan (David) of Millport, AL 3 Grandchildren: Tanner Boleware, Hunter Boleware and Brock Walley Numerous nieces and nephews Pallbearers will be Jay Scoggin, Kellis Higginbotham, Dr. Charlie Guest, Ric Perkins, Dr. Daryl Guest, Scott Guest, Dr. John King, Dr. Heath King Honorary Pallbearers are John Flynt, B.J. Walters, Clarence Putnman ,Mike Robertson, Charles Smith, Martin "Popcorn" Beech, Bobby Glaze, Eddie Pierce, Brad Adkins, Wayne Easterling, Scotty Smith and Deacons of First Baptist Church of Ellisville In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Growing in Faith Building Fund of First Baptist Church of Ellisville or Elmer Higginbotham Memorial Fund at JCJC Foundation.

The Columbian Progress 09/29/2011

Calvin Higginbotham (1926-2011) MS

Funeral services were held Tuesday, Sept. 27 at 3 p.m. in the Goss Baptist Church for Mr. Calvin Higginbotham, 85, of Columbia who died Sunday, Sept. 25 in Columbia. Interment was in the Society Hill Cemetery. The Rev. Mark McArthur and the William Wright officiated at the services. Visitation was held Monday, Sept. 26 after 5 p.m. at the church. A native of Lottie, La., he was a self employed at the Old Time Donut Shop. She was preceded in by his parents, James Ira and Martha Burns Higginbotham; four brothers, Howard, Kenny, Mann and Claude and five sisters, Ruby, Frances, Julie, Daisy and Alma. Survivors include his wife, Yvonna "Sammie" Sampson Higginbotham of Columbia; two daughters, Dorothy Taylor (Ronnie) of Columbia and Linda Higginbotham of Pensacola, Fla.; one stepdaughter, Novelyn Broom (Howard) of Columbia; three sons, Donald Higginbotham (Linda) of Livonia, La., Darrell Higginbotham (Brenda) of Denham Springs, La., Joey Higginbotham (Amanda) of Raleigh, N.C.; one stepson, Jimmy Diffee, Little Rock, Ark.; 17 grandchildren; numerous grandchild and great grandchildren and a number of nieces, nephews, friends and family. Colonial Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Clarion Ledger 10/10/2011

Mary Frances Coleman Higginbotham (1940-2011) MS

(May 2, 1940 - October 8, 2011)

Wilson & Knight Funeral Home Greenwood, MS 38930 Greenwood, MS 662-453-3636 Mary Frances Higginbotham,71, of Greenwood passed away Saturday, 8, 2011 at her residence. Services will be 2p.m. Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at Wilson & Knight Chapel. Visitation will be 12p.m. to 2p.m. Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at Wilson & Knight Funeral Home. Burial will be in Centerville Cemetery in Carroll County. Rev. Kevin Smith will officiate. She lived in Greenwood since 1971. She loved her family, gardening, cooking and friends. She attended North Carrollton Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents Gray and Mary T. Coleman. Brothers Herman Coleman, Billy Coleman, James Coleman and sisters Dot Whitfield and Bessie Jo Weaver. She is survived by her husband Kit Higginbotham of Greenwood. Daughter Robin Carlisle and husband Wayne of Flowood. Son Rodney Higginbotham of Greenwood. Two brothers Melvin Coleman of Shuqualak, MS and Harold Coleman of Slaughter, MS. Four Grandchildren Racheal Burnett of Kansas City, MO, Sara Beth Everett of Brandon, MS, Gray Higginbotham of Greenwood, MS, and Daniel Higginbotham of Greenwood, MS. One Great granddaughter Nora June Burnettt of Kansas City, MO. Pallbearers will be T. J. Coleman, Kelly Coleman, Shane Whitfield, Cole Whitfield, Matthew Whitfield, Jason Whitfield, James Melvin Coleman and Louis Coleman. In lieu of flowers please make memorials to Baptist Health Foundation – Cyberknife Mississippi Baptist health Systems P.O. Box 2002, Jackson, MS 39215-9927.

Clarion Ledger on 10/19/2011

Tammy Price Higginbotham (1964-2011) MS

(November 11, 1964 - October 17, 2011)

Funeral services for Tammy Price Higginbotham of Winona will be at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 19, at North Winona Baptist Church in Winona, with burial following in the Winona Garden of Memory.  Rev. Rusty Fair will officiate the services. A visitation will be held at Oliver Funeral Home on Tuesday, October 18, from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m.; and on Wednesday, from 12:30 until 1:30 p.m., at the funeral home. Ms. Higginbotham died of cancer at Mississippi Baptist Medical Center in Jackson on Monday, October 17.  She was 46 years old. Ms. Higginbotham was a clerk with Mid-Delta Home Health in Greenwood and attended North Winona Baptist Church in Winona.  She was a wonderful mother, daughter, and sister, and one of the sweetest people in the world.  To know her was to love her. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Walton Dee Smith, and her paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Elmer Price. Survivors include her sons, Gray Higginbotham of Greenwood and Daniel Price Higginbotham of Greenwood; her parents, Robert E. Price, Jr., and Beatrice Smith Price of Belzoni; her sister, Stephanie Bergeron and her husband, Troy, of Canton; her fiance, Jason Allan Eskridge and his son, Chris Eskridge, both of Winona; one niece, Amy Bergeron of Canton; one nephew, Chase Bergeron of Canton; and a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Pallbearers will be Trey Smith, Randy Henson, Gene Smith, Lawrence Braswell, Lance VanHorn, and Tim McBride.  Honorary pallbearers will be Rodney Higginbotham, Justin Jones, and Hunter Wall. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or to a church of the donor's choice.

The Star Herald 01/25/2012

Edna Catherine Carroll Higginbotham (1928-2012) MS

KOSCIUSKO - Catherine C. Higginbotham, 83, of Barnes, a factory worker for Carthage, Corp., died Jan. 22, 2012 at Leake County Memorial Hospital. Funeral services were held Wednesday, Jan. 25, at 10 a.m. at Jordan Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Center Hill Baptist Church Cemetery in the Conway Community. Rev. Marshall Lum and Rev. Shane McGivney officiated. She was a member of Rocky Point Baptist Church. She is survived by a daughter, Jean Tolleson and husband, Edwin of Florence; grandchildren, Brian Carpenter and wife, Tommie Kay, of Carthage and Brad Carpenter of Carthage; great-grandchildren, Dylan, James, and John; sister, Mary Collins of Kosciusko. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Higginbotham; son, James William "Billy" Higginbotham; and parents, George and Edna Huggins Carroll.

03/14/2012

Billy Joe Higginbotham Sr. (1943-2012) MS

Billy Joe Higginbotham Sr., 69, died Tuesday, March 13, 2012, at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo. He was born February 6, 1943, in Vardaman to Earlie Higginbotham and Ola Frances Wiggs Higginbotham. Services will be Friday, March 16, 2012, at 1:00 PM at Houston Funeral Home in Houston with the Rev. William Montgomery, assisted by Mr. William Burdine, officiating. Burial will follow at Wesley Chapel Cemetery in Houston. Houston Funeral Home of Houston, MS is in charge of the arrangements. Survivors include his wife, Josephine Peden Higginbotham of Houlka; his daughters, Beth and Bud Davis of Okolona, Nelda and Donnie Bell of Fulton; his son, B.J. and Christy Higginbotham of Pontotoc; his sister, Frances and Johnny Vance of Conway, AR; his grandchildren, Kristi White, Trey Davis, Dallas Davis, Savannah Davis, Paden Bell, Abbie Bell, Jeremiah Bell, Blake Hill, and Eli Stallings. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Jimmy Higginbotham and Dewayne Higginbotham. Pallbearers are Roy Harrell, Billy Fred Wiggs, Mike Peden, Josh Peden, B.G. White, and Billy Fred Wiggs Jr. Visitation is Thursday, March 15, 2012, from 5:00-7:00 PM at Houston Funeral Home.

The Sun Herald 03/21/2012

Larry Lee Higginbotham (1969-2012) MS

Born on February 01, 1969 Died on March 17, 2012.

Visitation: Friday, March 23, 2012 Service:  Friday, March 23, 2012

Larry Lee Higginbotham, 43, of Biloxi, MS passed away doing what he loved, cave diving. He was born on February 1, 1969 in Biloxi, MS and went home to the Lord on March 17th at Vortex Springs, Ponce De Leon, FL. He was preceded in death by his uncle Randy Higginbotham, his paternal grandfather, Percy Higginbotham, and his maternal grandfather, Robert (Paw) Loomis. He is survived by his two wonderful sons, Maxwell Higginbotham and Mason Higginbotham of Ocean Springs, MS, his mother Patricia Higginbotham of Ocean Springs, MS, father Larry E. Higginbotham (Elizabeth) of Janice, MS, a brother, Terry Higginbotham (Amanda and niece Emily) of San Diego, CA, and his grandmother, Joan Loomis of Ocean Springs, MS, three uncles Mike Loomis (Sue) of Virginia Beach, VA, Robert Loomis (Barbara) of Tucson, AZ and Timothy Loomis (Janet) of Mountain Home, ID, his former wife Sheri Vilski Quezada (Roque) of Ocean Springs, MS, a number of cousins, innumerable friends and two very special friends, Louise O'Brien of Gulfport and Stormy Stark of VA. Larry served his country for 20 years as a United States Marine. Duty stations include Parris Island, SC as administrative aide to the Commanding General, Camp Lejeune, NC, Twenty Nine Palms, CA, Okinawa, Keesler AFB, MS, and as a Military Aide to the command staff of NATO headquarters, Oslo, Norway and aboard the USS Guam during the Persian Gulf War. While stationed in California, he competed in and finished the Isuzu Ironman Triathlon. Larry also loved soccer and coached his sons in various leagues and had just started as a defensive coach for Maxwell's premier league team. He was also an avid fan of the Mississippi Surge and Saints football. After retirement, Larry went to work for International Game Technology (IGT) in Gulfport, where he worked as a Systems Engineer, a job he thoroughly loved. He was a graduate of St. Martin High School, class of 1987 and was the drum major his senior year. He also attended the University of Phoenix where he earned a Business Management Degree. Larry was a member of Rodenberg Church of Christ in Biloxi and often led singing, led prayers and other duties. Services are scheduled for Friday, March 23, 2012 at Rodenberg Church of Christ, 173 Rodenberg Avenue, Biloxi, MS. Visitation will be from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm, followed by a 12:00 pm service. Brother Bill Denton, minister, will be leading the service along with others of the church. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations made to the Mississippi Honor Flight, MGC Honor Flight c/o Kiwanis Division 14, FEN. 516 Brandi Lane, Gulfport, MS 39507 or donations can be made at any Hancock Bank for the Honor Flight or St. Jude's Children Hospital online at www.stjude.org in his name. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mississippi Press 05/06/2012

William J. Higginbotham (ca1915-2012) MS

July 2, 1915 - May 3, 2012

W.J. “Biddie” Higginbotham age 97 of Gautier, MS died Thursday May 3, 2012 in a local care center. Born July 2, 1915 in Pascagoula, MS to the late Jesse and Anirah White Higginbotham, he had been a lifelong resident of Jackson County. Biddie was an electrician by trade. He helped build many vessels, but his real passion was being on the water. He and his wife Eugenia ran their own shrimp boat from April thru December. He was well liked and respected by all who knew him. On September 12, 1954 he married the love of his life Eugenia Randall in Bay St. Louise, MS. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Juanita Higginbotham, one brother P.J. Higginbotham, and one sister Denise Weisenburg. Among his survivors are his wife Eugenia Higginbotham of Gautier, MS, three sons Bill Higginbotham and his wife Sarah of Jackson, AL, Peter Higginbotham of Pascagoula, MS, Randy Sonnier and his wife Louann of Ocean Springs, MS; six daughters Joanna Jones of Grand Bay, AL, Helen Burton of Grand Bay, AL, Mary Virginia Massey and her husband Wayne of Gautier, MS, Carol Cannon and her husband Dennis of Pascagoula, MS, Genia Pino and her husband Carmelo of Atlanta, GA, Anirah Ceconi-Watson and her husband Brian of Houston, TX; 18 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren. A memorial mass will be celebrated Friday, May 11, 2012 at 10:00 AM from Our Lady of Victories Catholic Church in Pascagoula, MS. Inurnment will follow at Krebs Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 9:00 to 10:00 AM at the Church. Those who desire may make memorial contributions to the St. Vincent DePaul Society.

Hattiesburg American 05/13/2012

Lucy Kathryn Buckalew Higginbotham (1924-2012) MS

(July 4, 1924 - May 11, 2012)

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at the Billy M. King-Colonial Chapel Funeral Home for Lucy Kathryn Buckalew Higginbotham, 87 of Collins who passed away on Friday, May 11, 2012 at the Arrington Living Center in Collins. Reverend Anthony O’Neal, Reverend Rocky Holston, and Reverend Gerald Butler will officiate at the services with interment to follow at the Collins City Cemetery. Billy M. King Colonial Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Mrs. Higginbotham was a native of Lauderdale County, Mississippi residing in both the Whynot and Vimville communities. She moved with her husband and two sons from the Vimville to Collins, Mississippi in 1965. She was a member of the First Baptist church of Collins. Mrs. Higginbotham had a love of gardening, sewing, and cooking but her greatest pleasure was caring for her family. She leaves a legacy of love and joy which she instilled in every member of her family. Pallbearers will be Richard Higginbotham, Michael Higginbotham, Neil Higginbotham, Roger Higginbotham, Robert Rasberry, and Mikel Higginbotham. Honorary pallbearers will be Angela Jones, Deanna Miller, John W. Jones, Terry Miller, and Mikel Higginbotham Jr. She was preceded in death by her parents, T.J. and Lucy Means Buckalew of Whynot, Mississippi and her brothers, Grady and Jim Buckalew of Meridian, Mississippi. Survivors include her husband of sixty five years, R.T. Higginbotham; two sons, Russell Higginbotham of Collins and Roger Higginbotham and his wife, Maria of Alabaster, Alabama; five grandchildren, Sergeant First Class Richard Higginbotham of Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, Angela and John Jones of Mendenhall, Deanna and Terry Miller of Collins, Michael and Amanda Higginbotham of Calera, Alabama, and Neil Higginbotham of Collins; eight grandchildren, Jeffery Higginbotham of New Orleans, Louisiana, Dustin and Mia Higginbotham of Chicago, Illinois, Kylee Miller of Collins, Johnna Jones of Mendenhall, and Benjamin Higginbotham, Jack Higginbotham, and Jude Higginbotham, all of Calera Alabama; one niece, Jane Buckalew Griffin of Hattiesburg; two nephews, Thomas Buckalew of Meridian and Jim Buckalew of Montgomery, Alabama. Visitation will be held on Monday, May 14, 2012 from 6:00-8:00 P.m. at Billy M. King-Colonial Chapel Funeral Home.

Mississippi Press 05/19/2012

Mary E. Miller Higginbotham (1934-2012) KY/MS

Mary E. Higginbotham Age 77 of Moss Point, Mississippi. Passed away at her home Friday, May 13, 2012. Mary was born August 10, 1934 in Kentucky to Milburn and Ida Pearl (Wilson) Miller. She is survived by her son Gary R. Higginbotham. Proud grandmother of 8 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband Bennie Higginbotham, Jr., and 2 sons Bernie, Sr. and Jerry Higginbotham. Funeral Services will be Monday May 21, 2012 at 1:00 P.M. at Coastal Funeral Home, 12800 Hwy 613, Moss Point, MS. Visitation will be 11:00 A.M. until time of service. Burial to follow at Serene Memorial Gardens.

Clarion Ledger 10/23/2012

William Elzie Higginbotham (1931-2012) MS

William E. Higginbotham, "Billy", of Itta Bena, Mississippi, died October 21, 2012 at the Baptist Hospital in Jackson, MS. Funeral services are 2 P.M. Tuesday October 23 at Wilson & Knight funeral home with interment in McNutt cemetery near Schlater. A longtime resident of Itta Bena, Billy served in the US Army during the Korean War and was a faithful member of First Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Dorothy, three children, Linda H. Williams (Ronnie) of Jackson, Mississippi, Byron Higginbotham (Kay) of Searcy, Arkansas, and Karen H. Ashley (Jeff) of Madison, Mississippi, five grandchildren, Stephanie H. Williams (Steve) of Searcy, Arkansas, Joshua Higginbotham (Lesley) of Searcy, Arkansas, Wayne Higginbotham of Searcy, Arkansas, McKayla Ashley of Madison, Mississippi, Anna Leigh Ashley of Madison Mississippi, and five great-grandchildren , Chastin Reed of Searcy, Arkansas, Channing Williams of Searcy, Arkansas, and Caden, Carver, and Olivia Higginbotham of Searcy, Arkansas. Billy is survived by one sister, Odean Reynolds as well as many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Itta Bena, Mississippi.

The Times-Picayune 11/11/2012

Paul Rodney Higginbotham (ca1942-2012) LA/MS

Paul Rodney Higginbotham, age 70, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, passed away in the comfort of his own home in the presence of family and friends on November 8, 2012. He was the beloved husband of Diane Lisenbea Higginbotham, brother of Javalie Woodson, father of 12 children, grandfather of 23 grandchildren and great grandfather of 16 great grandchildren. He is also survived by numerous family and friends. He was a native of Opelousas, Louisiana and resident of Hattiesburg, Mississippi for the past 7 years. He was a graduate of Opelousas High School, a highly decorated Chief Warrant Officer of 25 years in the United States Coast Guard, worked at the Stennis Space Center, and for the City of Slidell. He was a former member of the Bayou Liberty Civic Club and St Genevieve Church of Slidell, Louisiana. He was preceded in death by Ida and Moise Kidder, "Mac" Higginbotham and PeeWee Higginbotham. He was the life of the party, lived life to the fullest and never met a stranger. We will miss him dearly. Visiting hours will be observed in the Sibille Funeral Home of Opelousas, LA, on Tuesday, November 13, 2012, from 12 p.m. until 1:45 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 13, 2012, at Sibille Funeral Home Chapel in Opelousas, LA. Interment will follow in the Bellevue Memorial Park in Opelousas, LA. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sibille Funeral Home of Opelousas.

Clarion Ledger 11/20/2012

Etta Wilson Higginbotham (1929-2012) MS

(November 29, 1929 - November 18, 2012)

Graveside funeral services for Etta Wilson Higginbotham of Carrollton will be at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 20, at Bethel Cemetery near Kilmichael, with burial following. Rev. Eddie Carpenter will officiate the service. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday at Lee Funeral Home in Winona. Mrs. Higginbotham died at Greenwood Leflore Hospital in Greenwood on Sunday, November 18. She was 82 years old. Mrs. Higginbotham was the daughter of the late Robert Howard and Rainey Lou Elizabeth Beard Wilson and the widow of the late James Edward Higginbotham. She was a homemaker and attended Malmaison Baptist Church near Carrollton. She was preceded in death by four siblings. Survivors include two daughters, Shelia Goss of Carrollton, Debra Willhite of Carrollton; four sons, James Higginbotham of Calhoun City, Jimmy Higginbotham of Carrollton, Johnny Higginbotham of Carrollton, and Wayne Higginbotham of Carrollton; one brother, Tom Wilson of Columbia, TN; twenty-two grandchildren; twenty-seven great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and a host of nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Shaun Higginbotham, Jonathan Higginbotham, Zack Story, Timothy Skelton, Brandon Daves, Johnny Higginbotham, Zack Underwood, Frank Bowers, Mike Brewer, and Phillip Jones.

Meridian Star 02/23/2013

Mary Frances Higginbotham Burrage (1917-2013) MS

MERIDIAN-Funeral services for Mary Frances Higginbotham Burrage age 95 of Meridian will be held Sunday at 2 p.m.  in the chapel of Stephens Funeral Home with the Rev. John Sweeney officiating. Burial will follow in Goodwater Cemetery. Mrs. Burrage passed away Thursday at J.T. Champion Nursing Home. She was a long time resident of Meehan and a retired seamstress. She is survived by children James Carl Withers and wife Brenda of Cochranton, Pa., June Collins Hopper, Janice Lee Allen Wood, nine grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren, all of Meridian and a brother Lewis Higginbotham of Philadelphia. Frances was preceded in death by her husband Jimmy Poncit Burrage Sr., son Jimmy Poncit Burrage Jr., four brothers and four sisters. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. today at Stephens Funeral Home.

Daily Journal 07/08/2013

Virginia Joann Higginbotham Howell (1947-2013) MS

Virginia Joann Higginbotham Howell, 65, died Sunday, July 7, 2013, at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo. She was born Oct. 27, 1947, in Chickasaw County to John D. Higginbotham and Murtice Woodall Higginbotham. She was a retired truck driver. She attended Macedonia Methodist Church in Houston. Services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 9, at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Steve Lampkin officiating. Burial will be in Wesley Chapel Cemetery in Houston. Memorial Funeral Home of Houston is in charge of arrangements. She is survived by her husband, Lowell Don Howell of Houston; one daughter, Jennifer Carter of Dyer, Ark.; one son, Thomas Howell (Leigh Ann) of Houston; two sisters, Linda Brabant (Warren) of Plato, Mo., and Mary J. Nabors (J.D.)of Houston; and three grandsons, Ethan Hardin of Fort Campbell, Ky., Dalton Carter of Pontotoc, and Garrison Howell of Houston. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Bill Higginbotham; and her two sisters, Lucy Trent and Kay Trent. Pallbearers will be Ethan Hardin, Dalton Carter, Garrison Howell, Kevin Moore, Billy Moore, and Paul Trent. Honorary pallbearers will be all of her truck driving family. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Macedonia Methodist Church in Houston.

The Mississippi Press 08/29/2013

Cynthia Rebecca Collins Higginbotham (1957-2013) MS

Sept. 2, 1957 - Aug. 18, 2013

Cynthia Collins Higginbotham lost a lengthy battle with cancer on August 18, 2013. Cindy was born Cynthia Rebecca Collins on September 2, 1957 in Leland, Mississippi to Charlie W. Collins and Ellie V. Goodin. She was preceded in death by her parents and her late husband Paul Lambert Higginbotham, a brother Frankie G. Collins and a sister Alice Jean (Collins) Neese. Cindy is survived by her sons Steven Zachary Higginbotham and Paul Lambert Higginbotham Jr. of Lumberton, Mississippi and four brothers Charles D. Collins of Lumberton, Allen Bragg (Brad) Collins and William Dwight Collins of Jackson County and Paul B. Collins of New Orleans, La. Cindy was a graduate of East Central High School and a long time resident of Jackson County before moving to Union, Ms. A memorial service will be held at Family Life Church on Highway 63 in Escatawpa at 11:00am on Saturday September 7, 2013.

The Sun Herald 09/28/2013

James J. Higginbotham (1917-2013)

Ocean Springs James J. "Jim" Higginbotham, age 95, of Ocean Springs, MS passed on Friday, September 27, 2013 in Pass Christian, MS. He was born November 3, 1917 in Youngsville, LA as the 8th child of 13 children of James and Marie Higginbotham. Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Nelson, Charles, Martin, Belin (Bill); his sisters, Laura, Mae, Annette, Marie (MiMi); 3 siblings who died at birth; his 1st wife Thelma; and 2nd wife Myrtis. He is survived by his 5 children from his 1st wife Thelma: sons, Gary, Carroll (Mary K.), John, all of Ocean Springs, Eugene (Ila) of Saucier; and daughter, Mary Grace (John) Watts of D'Iberville; 5 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; his brother, Stephen "Nook" of Lafayette, LA; & numerous nephews & nieces. As a youth he worked the cane fields of South, LA before the family moved to Biloxi to work in the seafood industry. He later became a master boat builder on the Gulf Coast. During WWII he was pulled from the draft along with other master boat builders from the Gulf Coast to work in different yards along the Gulf Coast on Defense projects. Jim built 11 Texas trawlers & 2 Biloxi lugers in his own boat yard in Biloxi in the 1940's & early 1950's. He began his career in the shipbuilding industry in 1953 with Ingalls, where he worked until he retired. He was a long standing member of the French Club in Biloxi and served as president several times. He was a lifetime member of Knights of Columbus and lifetime member of 4th Degree. Jim loved dancing at the French Club, VFW and Mardi Gras Balls. After his retirement he spent most of his time on his farm tending to his pecan trees and cattle. He was a devout Catholic and member of Christ the King Mission Church in Latimer. He is best known by family and friends for his delicious pecan pies. The family would like to thank Dr. William Striegel & his staff at Bienville Medical Clinic in Ocean Springs, Pinnacle Hospice of D'Iberville and especially Kim Zuilly and her wonderful staff at Pass Oaks Assisted Living in Pass Christian for all their care and understanding during his illness. Visitation will be held at the Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home on Sunday, September 29, 2013 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with Rosary at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, September 30, 2013 at Christ the King Mission Church in Latimer at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Biloxi City Cemetery.

Clarion Ledger 02/09/2014

Sylvia Ann Robbins Higginbotham (1941-2014) MS

November 2, 1941 - February 8, 2014

Sylvia Robbins Higginbotham, age 72, of Columbus, MS, passed away February 8, 2014, at Baptist Memorial Hospital. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, February 11, 2014, at 2:00 PM at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd with Rev. Sandra Depriest officiating. Visitation will be Monday, February 10, 2014, from 6:00 - 8:00 PM at Gunter & Peel Funeral Home and also Tuesday, one hour prior to the memorial service at the church. Mrs. Higginbotham was born November 2, 1941, in Laurel, MS, to the late Frank and Floye Temple Robbins. She was a graduate of Ellisville High School and she attended the University of North Carolina in Greensboro and the University of Louisiana in Lafayette. Mrs. Higginbotham worked in various media outlets locally and out of town including TV, radio, and print. She also worked in tourism serving as the former executive director for both the Columbus Historical Foundation and the Columbus Arts Council. Mrs. Higginbotham was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church and attended the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Fr. Joel Robbins, and sister, Marlene Sumrall. Survivors include her husband, Weldon F. "Joe" Higginbotham of Columbus, daughters, Saxonie Eicholtz and her husband Tim of Louisville, KY, and Shay Erazo and her husband Dave of Miami, FL, and grandchildren, Sarah "Sunny" Eicholtz, Cosmo Erazo, and Enzo Erazo. In lieu of Flowers, memorials may be sent to the American Diabetes Association, 16 Northtown Dr., Jackson, MS, 39211.

The Commercial Appeal 02/15/2014

Tyler D. Higginbotham (1973-2014) MS

West Point - TYLER D. HIGGINBOTHAM, 42, died February 14, 2014. Calvert, (662)494-2833.

The Sun Herald 02/17/2014

Alta Mae Menard Higginbotham (1927-2014) LA/MS

April 29, 1927 - February 14, 2014

Mrs. Higginbotham was born on April 29, 1927 in Henry, Louisiana to the late Clodie Peter and Alma Lee Menard. She  She is preceded in death by her parents, Clodie Peter and Alma Menard; her daughter, Mary Grace Higginbotham; brothers, Peter “L.J.” and A.J Menard; and her great grandson, Miles Joseph Epperly. Mrs. Higginbotham is survived by her loving husband of 69 years, Dennis Paul Higginbotham; two sons, Al (Diane) Higginbotham and Father Robert “Bob” Higginbotham; daughter, Nancy Hayden; sister-in-law, Betty Menard; four grandchildren, Sharon Camille Higginbotham, Josh (Beth) Hayden, Brooke (Travis) Epperly, and R.J. Hayden, and five great grandchildren, Jackson Moore, Ella Hayden, Reese Epperly, Harloe Hayden, and Phoebe Epperly. The family will receive friends from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, 20, 2014 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in D’Iberville. The Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. with Father Robert “Bob” Higginbotham and Father Tony Arguelles officiating. Interment will follow in Biloxi City Cemetery all under the direction of Southern Mississippi Funeral Services in Ocean Springs. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Vincent de Paul at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart Elementary School, 10446 LeMoyne Blvd., D’Iberville, MS 39540 or The March of Dimes, 205 Lambert Street, Suite A, Mobile, AL, 36604.

Mobile Register 03/04/2014

Rita Higginbotham (ca1934-2014) AL

Age 79, died 3/3/14. Service 3/5/14 Serenity Funeral Home 2 pm with visitation starting 12 noon until service time. Interment Serenity Memorial Gardens.

3/30/2014

William Lewis Higginbotham (1929-2014) MS

(February 20, 1929 - March 27, 2014)

INTERMENT:  EASTLAWN CEMETERY

Mr. William L. "Bill" Higginbotham, 85, of Philadelphia, died Thursday, March 27, 2014 at Mississippi State Veterans Home in Kosciusko. He was a native and longtime resident of Neshoba County.  He retired after 30 years from the U.S. Army as Command Sergeant Major, having served in WWII, Korea and Vietnam.  He formerly worked as a security guard for Weyerhaeuser in Philadelphia.  Mr. Higginbotham was Baptist by faith. He was an avid golfer for many years. Survivors include his daughters, Debra Johnson of Rio Rancho, New Mexico and Denise Butler (Bobby) of Philadelphia; son, Byron Higginbotham of Philadelphia; granddaughters, Lisa Roskos (John) of Rio Rancho, New Mexico and Molly Butler of Philadelphia; great-granddaughters, Olivia Roskos and Taylor Roskos; and numerous nieces, nephews and their families. Mr. Higginbotham was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Christine Higginbotham; parents, Bama and Ada Higginbotham; sisters, Annie Pearl Holyfield, Agnes Alexander, Frances Burrage, Jean Smith and Betty Lewis; and brothers, Leroy Higginbotham, Leonard Higginbotham and Leon Higginbotham.

The Sun Herald 05/08/2014

Brenda Ann Higginbotham LeGrone (1941-2014) MS

Gautier - Mrs. Brenda Higginbotham LeGrone, age 72, of Gautier, MS, passed away on Wednesday, May 7, 2014, in Ocean Springs. Mrs. LeGrone was a lifelong resident of the coast. She graduated from Biloxi High School in 1959 where she was a cheerleader. She was very active and involved in St. Mary's Catholic Church in Gautier and was also a Lector and Eucharistic Minister. She loved children and worked in the daycare at St. Mary's for many years. She taught CCD classes and loved teaching the Catholic faith. She loved to cook for the senior lunches at the church and for the St. Mary's fair booth. Mrs. LeGrone also worked at the President Casino for ten years in the Food and Beverage department. She was preceded in death by her mother, Jewel Higginbotham, two brothers, Johnny Higginbotham and Scott Higginbotham and a sister-in-law, Diane Higginbotham. Survivors include her husband of 53 years, James LeGrone, daughter, Juli LeGrone (Hubert) Callahan, son, Archie (Stephanie Chase) LeGrone, father, George Higginbotham, four sisters, Donna Kay Higginbotham (Walter) Brightman, Sandy Higginbotham, Debbye Higginbotham and Lori Higginbotham (Clyde) Jacquet, four brothers, Kenneth (Donna) Higginbotham, Richard Higginbotham, Keith (Ann) Higginbotham and Greg (Cozy) Higginbotham, sisters-in-law, Susan Higginbotham and Wanda (Nicholas) Haas, four grandchildren, Abby Yocom (Brett) Allred, Aaron Stone, Adam Stone and Archer Chase LeGrone and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. Visitation will be on Saturday, May 10, 2014, from 9:30 am until 11am, with an 11 am Mass of Christian Burial, all at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Gautier. Burial will follow in Crestlawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers the family prefers donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital , 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. The family would like to thank Hospice of Light and Kammy Goff for their very special care and compassion. The Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

06/12/2014

Weldon Francis Higginbotham (1939-2014) TX/MS

(October 2, 1939 - June 9, 2014)

Weldon F. "Joe" Higginbotham, age 74, of Columbus, MS, passed away June 9, 2014, at Baptist Memorial Hospital. A memorial service will be Saturday, June 14, 2014, at 2:00 PM at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd with Rev. Anne Harris officiating. Visitation will be Friday, June 13, 2014, from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Gunter & Peel Funeral Home. Mr. Higginbotham was born October 2, 1939, in Kilgore, TX, to the late William Weldon and Marion Sopher Higginbotham. He was a veteran of Vietnam serving in the United States Navy for 13 years. Mr. Higginbotham was a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi. He was a past member of the National Association of Accountants and the Broadcast Financial Association. Mr. Higginbotham was and avid golfer and was past president of the Columbus Country Club. He attended the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd and in addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Sylvia Robbins Higginbotham. Survivors include his daughters, Saxonie Eicholtz and her husband Tim of Louisville, KY, and Shay Erazo and her husband Dave of Miami, FL, brother, Robert Higginbotham of Madison, MS, sister, Anna Rogers of Mobile, AL, and grandchildren, Sarah "Sunny" Eicholtz, Cosmo Erazo, and Enzo Erazo. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Baptist Memorial Hospice Program, P.O. Box 1307, Columbus, MS, 39703.

07/10/2014

Donnabel Higginbotham Langford (1923-2014) MS

Donnabel Higginbotham Langford, 91 of Meadville, MS, passed from this life Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at home in Meadville, MS. Visitation will be on Thursday, July 10, 2014 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM and will continue on Friday, July 11, 2014 from 10:00 AM until the time of service at 11:00 AM at Franklin Funeral Home. Rev. Dale Linton will be officiating the services. Franklin Funeral Home will be handling the arrangements.
Pall Bearers will be Nathan Orr, Jamie Matthews, Jeff Mullins, Bill Halford, David Scarbrough and Kirk Williamson. Honorary pallbearers will be Danny Oglesby, Jimmy Torrey and Tommy Hutto.
Mrs. Langford is preceded in death by her husband of 52 years E.W. (Tiny) Langford; parents, Quantrell (Tont) Higginbotham and Nelie Cunningham Higginbotham; son, Allen (Badge) Langford; brothers, Alfred, Hugh, and Elmer Higginbotham.
Mrs. Langford is survived by her daughters, Eva L. Guice (Mike) of Meadville, Daisy L. Arnold (Scotty) of Meadville, and Jo Nell Griffith (Larry), of Meadville; Eight Grandchildren, Michelle Orr, Cindy Ashmore, Melinda Arnold, Kristi Matthews, Donna Brewer, Tommy Arnold, Allison Kirkendall and Jennifer Griffith; Daughter in Law, Dee Langford; Eight great Grandchildren and two step great grandchildren.

The Sun Herald 07/13/2014

Oscar James Higginbotham (1930-2014) MS

July 24, 1930 ~ July 8, 2014

Ocean Springs - Oscar James Higginbotham, age 83, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 8, 2014. A Biloxi native, Oscar grew up on Fountain Street near Back Bay during the Great Depression and was the son of a bridge tender. His mother (a seafood factory worker and housewife) and younger sister were known to have spoiled him shamelessly. Oscar delivered papers at age 12 and graduated from Biloxi High School at 17 after being voted Most Friendly. A month before his 18th birthday he talked his parents into signing the papers that allowed him to join the United States Navy. After spending time aboard ship in Japan and Hawaii, Oscar met his lifelong love, Floy Mae McAllister, who was renting a room next door to his aunt in Biloxi. The two fell in love and were engaged to be married three weeks after their first date. Oscar and Flo celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary on June 13. Oscar's 21 year Navy career took him to Florida, Pakistan, California, Washington DC and Spain. After his retirement, he worked as an insurance claims adjuster and lived in Ocean Springs and Vancleave. He and Flo travelled extensively, scheduling timeshare vacations all across Europe, Canada, Mexico and many parts of the US. He delighted in his children and grandchildren and spent most of his time with his family. Oscar was a 32nd Degree Mason and a member of the Joppa Shrine Temple and Tin Lizzie unit. He was a member of St Paul United Methodist Church in Ocean Springs where he sang in the choir for many years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Vera Clara (Ramsay) Higginbotham; and his sister, Myrta Faye (John) Williams. Besides his wife, Oscar is survived by three children: Chuck Higginbotham, Cindy (Mike) Singleton and Cheryl (Steve) Martino; six grandchildren: Jessica (Lee) Hill, Alyssa (Sam) Taylor, Lia (Caleb) Brasher and Eldon, Ethan and Dyllan Martino; six great-grandchildren: Parker, Ramsey and Ellie Hill and Mac, Drew and Clara Mae Taylor. Visitation will be on Monday, July 14, from 11 am until 1 pm, with a 1 pm church service, all at St. Paul UMC Downtown in Ocean Springs. Burial will follow in Biloxi National Cemetery.

08/01/2014

George Joseph Higginbotham (1921-2014) LA/MS

Woolmarket-George Joseph Higginbotham, 93, died at his home in Woolmarket on Monday, July 28, 2014. George was born on May 17, 1921 in Youngsville, LA but spent most of his life in Biloxi and Woolmarket, MS. He was the son of Nelson Higginbotham and Edna (Delcambre) Higginbotham. He was of the Catholic faith. George was a past president of the Fleur de Lis Society, lifetime member of the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, and was a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2434. He served as Biloxi Shrimp King with his granddaughter as Queen in 1998. George was a loving husband for 66 years, a devoted father of eleven children, 22 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren. PFC George Higginbotham served as a Marine in WWII from 1944 to 1945 with the 1st Marine Division seeing combat in the invasion of Okinawa, Japan. He was wounded on June 19, 1945 and 50 years later received his Purple Heart Medal during a special presentation in July of 2004. He spent most of his life working in the seafood industry. Starting out working on oyster and shrimp boats with his dad and retiring as co-owner of Del's Seaway Shrimp and Oyster Company with his cousin Paul J. Delcambre, Sr. located on Biloxi's Back Bay. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jewell Higginbotham; daughter, Brenda (Higginbotham) LeGrone; sons, John and Scott Higginbotham; and daughter-in-law Diane (Rose) Higginbotham; his parents; 3 brothers, Percy, Curtis and Carey Higginbotham; and sister, Shirley Parker. George is survived by four daughters, Donna (Walter) Brightman, Lori (Clyde) Jacquet, Debbye and Sandy Higginbotham; four sons, Kenneth (Donna), Keith (Ann), Gregory (Cozy), and Richard Higginbotham; daughter-in-law, Susan Higginbotham; son-in-law, James LeGrone; two sisters, Melba R. Higginbotham and Rose Mary Tiblier; brother, Dennis Higginbotham; longtime friend of the family and care giver, Rebecca Phillips; longtime and loyal friend, Jerry Ellis; grandchildren, Juli (Hubert) Callahan, Archie (Stephanie) LeGrone, Kenny Kweens, Amber (Chris) Thibodeaux, Josh (Joy) Duncan, Kim (Eddie) Rodgers, Mike (Michelle) Duncan, Ashley (Sonny) Seymour, Angie Hood, Walter W. Brightman, Jamie (Jimmy) Mathews, Christian (Daniel) Preston, Matthew (Melody) Compton, Shawn Jacquet, April Gruich, Amanda (Johnny) White, Andrew Higginbotham, Josh (Krystal) Ellis, Kyle (Emileigh) Ellis, Amy (Dylan) Hauge, Bayleigh Thornton, Sydney Cannette and 30 great-grandchildren. The family would like to thank Deaconess Home Health Care, Dr. Bradley Heitzman, Dr. Eva Magarios and Dr. Charles Gruich. The family prefers memorials be sent to the Wounded Warriors Veteran Program, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 or the St. Vincent de Paul Pharmacy, 735 Division St., Biloxi, MS 39530. Visitation is Saturday, August 2, 2014 at Blessed Seelos Catholic Church (St. John's) on Lameuse St, Biloxi from 9:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 12:00 noon. Interment will follow at Biloxi City Cemetery. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

The Commercial Appeal 09/18/2014

Arlie Dewayne Higginbotham (ca1960-2014) MS

Greenwood - Arlie Higginbotham, 54, died September 16, 2014. Williams & Lord, 662-453-4541 Funeral Home Williams & Lord Funeral Home 301 Madison Avenue Greenwood, MS 38930 (662) 453-4541.

Clarion Ledger 10/02/2014

Doris Holdiness Collins Higginbotham (1930-2014) MS

February 25, 1930 - September 29, 2014

Doris Holdiness Collins Higginbotham, 84, passed away on Monday, September 29, 2014, at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, Mississippi. Visitation will be on Thursday, October 2, 2014, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Nowell-Massey Funeral Home in Louisville, Mississippi. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, October 3, 2014, in the Nowell-Massey Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Franklin Smith officiating. Music will be provided by Linda Fortune and Sherry Clay who will be accompanied by Jewel Johnson; and by Emily Rogers accompanied by Dr. Angela Willoughby. Interment will follow in Indian Springs Cemetery. Mrs. Higginbotham was born on February 25, 1930, to Mack and Mary Burnham Holdiness. She was a member of Indian Springs Assembly of God Church, and she was a seamstress at Wells Lamont Glove Factory in Philadelphia, Mississippi, for more than 40 years. Mrs. Higginbotham is survived by her daughter, Carolyn Collins Rogers and husband, Billy Wayne, of Brandon, Mississippi; and by her son, William Laverne Collins and wife, Tricia, of Saltillo, Mississippi. She was “Grandma Doris” to four granddaughters, Jennifer Claire Nash, and husband, Claude; Amanda Carol Ferguson and husband, Lane; Emily Nicole Rogers; and Carla Jane Elkins and husband, Lance. She was also “Grandma Doris” to eight great-grandchildren: Joshua Cole Ferguson, Collin Lane Ferguson, Alyssa Jade Ferguson, Cayman Owen Rigdon, Whitney Mae Rigdon, Zane Marshall Rigdon, William Gregory Elkins, and Parker Stuart Elkins. Doris is also survived by four sisters: Marie Blount of Richland, Mississippi; Mary Pittman of Pearl, Mississippi; Dotsy Thomas and husband, Cecil, of Richland; and Jewel Johnson and husband, Eugene, of Maryville, Tennessee; as well as, numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husbands, William Washington Collins and Gilbert Higginbotham; her parents; and her siblings: Elbert Holdiness, Nona Drury, Gladys Parker, Mack Holdiness, Ruth Boatner, and Mabel Guy. Serving as pallbearers will be Gene Clay, Lance Elkins, Collin Ferguson, Joshua Ferguson, Lane Ferguson, Danny Fortune, Claude Nash, and Cayman Rigdon. Memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society, c/o Penny’s From Heaven, 532 East Main Street, Louisville, MS 39339. Services are under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS.

The Sun Herald 01/13/2015

Dennis Paul Higginbotham (1925-2015) LA/MS

Dennis Paul Higginbotham, 89, of Latimer, formerly of Biloxi, died Sunday, January 11, 2015. Mr. Higginbotham was born on March 15, 1925 in Youngsville, Louisiana to the late Nelson and Edna Higginbotham. He served his country in the Army Air Corp during World War II. Upon his return from the war, Dennis graduated high school in D’Iberville. He owned H&B Refrigeration and Air Conditioning for forty years until his retirement. He and his late wife were devout members of St. John’s Catholic Church in Biloxi until 2005 when they became members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in D’Iberville. Mr. Dennis will be best remembered as being a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and uncle who enjoyed the company of others. He would often have coffee at Big B.’s, Fayard’s, and Hardees with his friends. He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 69 years, Alta Mae Higginbotham; daughter, Mary Grace Higginbotham; brothers, Percy, George, Curtis, and Carey Higginbotham; sister, Shirley Parker, and great grandson, Miles Joseph Epperly. Dennis is survived his sons, Al (Diane) Higginbotham and Father Robert “Bob” Higginbotham; daughter, Nancy Hayden; sisters, Rose Mary Tiblier and Melba Ruth Higginbotham; grandchildren, Sharon Camille Higginbotham, Josh (Beth) Hayden, Brooke (Travis) Epperly, and R.J. Hayden; great grandchildren, Jackson Moore, Ella Hayden, Reese Epperly, Harloe Hayden, and Phoebe Epperly; sisters in law, Betty Menard, Gloria, Sandra, and Dee Higginbotham, and a host of nieces and nephews. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 16, 2015 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in D’Iberville. Friends are invited to visit from 9-11 a.m. prior to service time. Interment will follow in Biloxi City Cemetery all under the direction of Southern Mississippi Funeral Services. The family wishes to extend special gratitude to Canon Hospice, the staff of Memorial Hospital, and Eddie Parker for their care and support during Mr. Higginbotham’s illness. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Vincent de Paul at Sacred Heart Catholic Church or Sacred Heart School, 10446 LeMoyne Blvd. D’Iberville, MS 39540, or The March of Dimes, 205 Lambert Street, Mobile, Alabama 36604.

Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal 01/28/2015

Margie Ann Higginbotham Flake (1939-2015) MS

PONTOTOC – Margie Ann Higginbotham Flake went to be with her Savior on Monday, January 26, 2015, at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo surrounded by her family. She was born April 11, 1939, in DeKalb to William Henry and Lillie Mae Higginbotham. She was a member of Oak Dale Baptist Church. She spent her life seeing to the needs of her family, church and community. The celebration of her life will be Thursday, January 29, 2015, at 11 a.m. at Tutor Memorial Funeral Home in Pontotoc. Burial will follow in the Friendship Cemetery. Tutor Memorial Funeral Home of Pontotoc is in charge of the arrangements. Survivors include her husband of nearly 60 years, Elvin; four children, Ronald (Janet), Donald, Travis (Sarah) and Glenda Flake Hill (Tom); 10 grandchildren, Amber and Alex Hill (Melissa), Anna Claire Flake White (Nathan), Ethan and Whit Flake, Roy and Tyler Flake, Jimmy Flake (Johnna), Lisa Phillips (Todd) and Carl Breedlove; 13 great-grandchildren; two brothers, George Higginbotham (Mae) of Preston and Will Higginbotham (Claudia) of Philadelphia. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Lenard Ray Higginbotham and Jim Henry Higginbotham; three sisters, Jeanette Higginbotham, Flora Robertson and Florrie White. Pallbearers are her grandsons. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today, Jan. 28, 2015, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, 2015. Funeral Home Tutor Memorial Funeral Home 270 Coffee St. Pontotoc, MS 38863 (662) 489-2828.

02/12/2015

Robert Lee Higginbotham (1934-2015) MS

Funeral services for Robert Lee Higginbotham will be held Monday, February 16, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Reid Whittington and Jerry Marlow officiating. Burial will be at Forest Lawn Cemetery with Robert Barham Family Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.

Mr. Higginbotham, age 72, of the Center Hill Community passed away Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at his residence.

Mr. Higginbotham was the pastor of Bluff Springs Baptist Church. He retired from McPhails Grocery where he was the market manager for 30 years. He was a veteran of the United States Navy.

Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Geraldine Higginbotham; daughters, Danette Robbins (Chris) of Meridian, and Tammie Triplett (Tim) of Bangkok, Thailand; son, Lee Taylor Higginbotham (Brandi) of Collinsville; his fur baby, Bella; grandchildren, Traci Triplett, Taylor Triplett, Christin Robbins, Chloe Robbins, Laighton Higginbotham, and Bryson Higginbotham; sister, Edna Parker of Raleigh, Mississippi; brother, Paul Higginbotham of Meridian; brother, Sam Higginbotham of Laurel; sister, Claudia Higginbotham of Philadelphia; sister, Bessie Thornton of Laurel; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews; mother-in-law, Beatrice Taylor of Meridian; sister-in-laws, Cherryl Marlow (Jerry) of Meridian and Faye Woodard of Meridian; and brother-in-law, Robert Taylor (Wanda) of Enterprise.

He was preceded in death by his father, Cannie Higginbotham; mother, Lettie Higginbotham; oldest sister, Ann Roberts; and father-in-law, Grady Taylor.

Pallbearers will be Mike Marlow , Steve Marlow, David Taylor, Randy Higginbotham, Josh Higginbotham, and Donnie Scrivner. Honorary Pallbearers will be Tommy Gully, Hal Harbour, and David Roberts.

Visitation will be held Sunday, February 15, 2015 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home.

Clarion Ledger 02/20/2015

Clarence Odell Higginbotham (1924-2015) MS

(April 7, 1924-February 18, 2015)

Mr. Clarence Odell “Papaw” Higginbotham, 90, died Wednesday, February 18, 2015, at Noxubee General Hospital in Macon, MS. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, February 21st, at Mashulaville Baptist Church, with Rev. John Burkes officiating. Visitation will be at Mashulaville Baptist Church on Saturday from 10:00 AM until service time. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Porter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Higginbotham was born April 7, 1924, in Neshoba County, MS. He was a retired heavy equipment operator for the Mississippi State Highway Department; and he ministered at the Noxubee County Jail for 40 years, missing only seven Sundays during that time. He was an Army veteran of World War II, and was a member of Westside Baptist Church in Macon. He was preceded in death by his wife, Myrtis Ray Higginbotham; his parents, Minnie and Walter Higginbotham; and one sister, Mae Arledge. He is survived by two sons, Larry Higginbotham of Mashulaville, MS, and Raymond Higginbotham of Waskom, TX; a daughter, Carol Pruitt of Macon, MS; a sister, Gladys Kelley of Sebastopol, MS; a brother, Hubert Higginbotham of Philadelphia, MS; eight grandchildren, and twelve great grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Michael Higginbotham, Joseph Pruitt, Chris McCullough, Les Hailey, Taft Baker, Robert Hall, Christopher Merritt, and James Pruitt.

The Sun Herald 02/25/2015

Elsie Mae Higginbotham Moore (1917-2015) MS

Gulfport- Elsie Mae Higginbotham Moore, 97, of Gulfport, passed peacefully on Saturday, February 21, 2015 at her home and is now with her husband, Melton, the love of her life. Mrs. Moore was a native and grew up in Meehan, MS and following her husband's death moved to Gulfport to be nearer family. She is a member of Goodwater Baptist Church in Meehan. Mrs. Moore was preceded in death by her husband, Claude M. Moore (retired Southern Railroad), her parents, Elijah Monroe and Pearl Lena Pond Higginbotham, her two sons, Claude M. Moore, Jr. and Donald Earl Moore, and her seven siblings. Survivors include her son, Jerry Wayne Moore (Sharon) and daughter, Claudia L. Webb; her sister, Gloria Allen; 8 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, February 27, 2015 at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport. The Graveside Service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, February 28 at Goodwater Baptist Church Cemetery in the Meehan Community. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or to one's favorite charity. Funeral Home Riemann Family Funeral Home 11280 Three Rivers Road Gulfport, MS 39503 (228) 539-9800.

Hattiesburg American 04/11/2015

Sandra Perkins Higginbotham (1945-2015) MS

Ellisville, MS Sandra Perkins Higginbotham, 69, of Ellisville, Mississippi, died Wednesday, April 8, 2015, at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg. Mrs. Higginbotham was born May 20, 1945, in Macon, Mississippi. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 13, 2015, at the First Baptist Church of Ellisville, with Rev. Paul Brashier officiating. Interment will follow in the Ellisville City Cemetery. Mrs. Higginbotham graduated from Noxubee County High School in Macon and married her high school sweetheart, Elmer Higginbotham, on July 28, 1963. She received her bachelor's degree from Livingston University (Alabama) and her master's degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and then pursued a long and successful career as an educator. She retired from Jones County Junior College after twenty-two years in the vocational business department. After retirement, she and her husband became local entrepreneurs, operating several businesses in the area. They were ardent Mississippi State fans and spent much time attending sporting events with their grandsons, who were the joy of her life. Additionally, she enjoyed reading, gardening, and cooking for family and friends. Mrs. Higginbotham was a member of First Baptist Church, Ellisville. Mrs. Higginbotham is preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Hardin Perkins and Mary Kate VonKohn Perkins, of Macon; her husband, Elmer Higginbotham of Ellisville; and her brothers, Charles Thomas Perkins of Lauderdale, Mississippi, Larry Hardin Perkins of Niceville, Florida, and Donald Earl Perkins of Carrollton, Mississippi. Survivors include daughters, Michele Whittle, and her husband, Dr Tim Whittle, of West Point, and Mary Boleware and her husband, Garland Boleware, of Hattiesburg; three grandsons, Brock Walley, Tanner Boleware, and Hunter Boleware; sisters Rubye Guest of Starkville and Lisa King of Brooksville; and a host of nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be nephews, Dr. Charles L. Guest, Dr. Daryl Guest, Scott Guest, Kellis Higginbotham, Dr. Heath King, Dr. John King, Ric Perkins; and a dear friend, Clarence Puttnam. Memorial donations may be made to Coach Elmer and Sandra Higginbotham Memorial Scholarship at the JCJC Foundation Office, 900 South Court Street, Ellisville, MS 39437, or a charity of the donor's choice . Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sunday, April 12, 2015, at Ellisville Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.

04/25/2015

Mary Gloria Higginbotham Murphy (1945-2015) MS

(August 8, 1945 - April 24, 2015)

Mary G. Murphy, 69, of Hattiesburg, died April 24, 2015, at Stone County Nursing Home. Services will be at 1:30 p.m., Monday, April 27, 2015, at Moore Funeral Chapel in Hattiesburg, followed by burial in Old Fellowship Cemetery in Jones County. Mrs. Murphy was a cashier for 27 years and of the Baptist faith. She loved to cook, meet people and window shop and she never met a stranger. Mrs. Murphy was preceded in death by her parents, Claud and Nettie Higginbotham. She is survived by her husband, Jimmy R. Murphy, Sr. of Hattiesburg; son, Jimmy R. Murphy, Jr. of Hattiesburg; sister, Wanda Faye Fullen of Ocean Springs; brothers, Timothy Higginbotham of Hattiesburg, Roy Martin Higginbotham of Oak Grove, Claudie Lavern Higginbotham of Biloxi and Henry Allen Higginbotham of Prattville, AL; sisters-in-law, Brenda Gale Williams of Denim Springs and Francis Bruce of Colorado Springs; brother-in-law, Danny Murphy (Kwuan) of Killeen, TX; and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Sunday from 5-8 p.m. at Moore Funeral Home in Hattiesburg.

The Sun Herald 10/21/2015

Russell Martin Higginbotham (1937-2015) MS

Russell M. Higginbotham Vancleave age 78, passed away on Tuesday, October 20, 2015. Arrangements are incomplete at the Howard Avenue Chapel of BRADFORD-O'KEEFE Funeral Home. 228-374-5650. Funeral Home Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home 675 E. Howard Avenue  Biloxi, MS 39530 228-374-5650.

08/27/2016

Sam Bell Higginbotham (1936-2016) MS

Sam Bell Higginbotham, 80, of Laurel, passed away Friday, August 26, 2016, at Care Center of Laurel. Visitation will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, August 28, at Memory Chapel with graveside services to follow at 2 p.m. at Hickory Grove Cemetery. Rev. Scott Stringer will officiate. Mr. Higginbotham was retired from the oil field and was a member of Evangel Temple. He was also a veteran of the U. S. Army. He was preceded in death by his wife, Annie Ruth Higginbotham and two sons, Gerald Higginbotham and Glenn Higginbotham. Survivors include two sons, Randy B. Higginbotham (Regina) and Greg Higginbotham all of Laurel; four grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren, brother, Paul J. Higginbotham of Meridian; and three sisters, Claudia Shelton of Meridian and Bessie Thornton and Edna Parker both of Laurel.

09/02/2016

R.T. Higginbotham (1927-2016) MS

January 20, 1927 - August 31, 2016

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, September 3, 2016 at the Billy M. King-Colonial Chapel Funeral Home in Collins MS for R T Higginbotham, 89 of Collins, who passed away Wednesday, August 31, 2016 at his residence.
Rev. Gerald Butler and Reverend Joseph Bird will officiate at the services with interment to follow in the Collins City Cemetery. Billy M. King-Colonial Chapel Funeral Home in Collins will be in charge of the arrangements.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, September 2, 2016 at the Billy M. King-Colonial Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Mikel Higginbotham, Michael Higginbotham, Roger Higginbotham, Neil Higginbotham, Richard Higginbotham, and Robert Raspberry. Honorary pallbearers will be Maria Higginbotham, Angela and John W. Jones, Deanna and Terry Miller, Amanda Higginbotham, CJ Higginbotham, Raquel Gabriela Varela, Dustin Higginbotham, and Shirley McDonald.
Mr. Higginbotham was a native of Kemper County Mississippi. He moved from Meridian, Mississippi where he had been the Production Manager for Robinson Heil Manufacturing Company in 1965 to start up the Fontaine Truck Equipment Company’s new Dump Body Manufacturing Plant in Collins, Mississippi.
He retired as President of Fontaine Body & Host Co. in 1986.
He was a member and Deacon of First Baptist Church of Collins, and a member of the St. John’s Masonic Lodge Post Number 507. He was a founding member of the Covington County Chamber of Commerce and served on the Board of Directors where he was a two term President.
He was preceded by his parents, Ada Eaves and George ‘Bennie’ Higginbotham; his wife of sixty nine years, Lucy Kathryn Buckalew Higginbotham; and five brothers, P J, J C, J W, Bobby, and Bennie Jr.
Survivors include two sons, Russell Higginbotham of Collins, Mississippi, and Roger Higginbotham and his wife Maria of Alabaster, Alabama; one sister, Ada Akers of Fraser, Michigan; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; two great great-grandchildren; and a host of other family members and friends.

Kemper County Messenger 12/21/2016

George Leslie Higginbotham (1940-2016) MS

Mr. George Higginbotham, 76, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, December 15, 2016.  Visitation will be Saturday, December 17, 2016, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Nowell-Massey Funeral Home in Louisville, Mississippi.  Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, December 18, 2016, in the Nowell Massey Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Larry Ferris officiating assisted by Bro. Michael Hemphill.  Interment will follow in Mashulaville Cemetery in Macon, Mississippi, with Bro. Chris Gully officiating. George was born November 3, 1940, to James “Jimmy” and Mattie Vaughn Higginbotham in Noxubee County, Mississippi.  Before retiring, he worked for many years as a grain elevator operator for Tom Soya Grain.  Mr. Higginbotham was a member of the Kemper County Camp of Gideon International; he served as president of the Mashulaville Volunteer Fire Department and he served as a board member of the Noxubee Fire Association.  An avid outdoorsman, he loved to hunt and fish. Mr. Higginbotham is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary Nell Young Higginbotham of Macon, Mississippi; two daughters, Vickie Richardson and husband, Doug, of Louisville; and Margie Higginbotham Ronyak of Macon; and son, Jimmy Higginbotham and wife Nancy, of the Nanih Waiya community.  He is also survived by his sister, Elsie Parny of Louisville; and his brother, Charles Higginbotham and wife, Bettye, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  One of his greatest joys was being “Paw Paw” to four grandchildren:  Dennis Ronyak, Courtney Richardson, Karla Higginbotham and Ashley Higginbotham, and one great-granddaughter, Hartley Richardson.  He was preceded in death by his son, Dennis Higginbotham; his parents; his son-in-law, Garry Ronyak; and his siblings, Joe Lee Higginbotham, William Thomas Higginbotham, and Mattie Mae West.  Serving as pallbearers will be Carl Gilbert, David Hemphill, Johnny Hemphill, Ronnie Lee, Dennis Ronyak and Ransom Earl “Dinky” Young.  Memorial contributions in honor of Mr. Higginbotham may be given to Kemper County Gideon Camp, P. O. Box 650, DeKalb, MS 39328.

01/06/2017

Adell Phillips Higginbotham (1934-2017) AL/MS

(August 26, 1934 - January 3, 2017)

Adell Phillips Higginbotham, 82, of Philadelphia, Miss., died Jan. 3, 2017. She was born August 26, 1934, near Greenville, Ala., to the late William and Lena Yancey. She moved to Philadelphia in 1951 and worked more than 20 years at Wells Lamont before retiring to be a full-time Granny. She was a member of Bloomfield Congregational Methodist Church. She loved being surrounded by her family and spent many Sundays bustling in the kitchen while visiting with her children and delighting in the squeals and play of her grandchildren. She was an efficient and talented Southern cook whose table was famous for chicken nuggets, potato soup, creamed corn, fresh sliced tomatoes and cucumbers, red velvet cake and fried apple pies. She could serve up a pan of cornbread and piping hot vegetables from her garden before you even realized you had agreed to stay for dinner. She is remembered with love by her best friend and husband of 43 years, Hubert Higginbotham, as well as her daughter Kathy Irons (Ricky) and son Tommy Phillips (Vickie) from her first marriage to the late Richard Phillips. Other survivors include six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, sister Nell Jones, and brothers Ray Phillips, Donald Phillips, Henry Yancey, A. D. Yancey, and James Yancey. She leaves behind a family and friends that are saddened by her loss but joyful that she is free of her earthly limitations in her heavenly home.  Pallbearers are Richard Phillips, Payden Phillips, Jacob Phillips, Ricky Irons, Jon Riley, and John Cleckler. SERVICES: FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2017 11:00 A.M. BLOOMFIELD METHODIST CHURCH VISITATION: THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2017 5:00-8:00 P.M. MCCLAIN-HAYS FUNERAL HOME AND ON FRIDAY 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE SERVICE AT THE CHURCH INTERMENT: BLOOMFIELD CEMETERY OFFICIATING: REV. BUDDY COVINGTON.

Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal 01/12/2017

Josephine Peden Higginbotham (1944-2017) MS

Mrs. Josephine Peden Higginbotham, 72, died Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at Dogwood Plantation Assisted Living in Fulton, MS following an extended illness. She was born December 10, 1944 in Houlka, MS to Joe Hugh Peden and Grace Ruthell Austin Peden. She grew up in Houlka and was a graduate of Houlka High School. Josephine worked for the Social Security Administration for 43 years. She retired as the manager of the Corinth Social Security Office. After retiring she served as Mayor of Houlka. She was very active in community service on the local, state and federal level. She was a Christian where her faith showed through her service to others. A celebration of her life will be today (Thursday) at 3:00 p.m. in the Tupelo Chapel of Holland Funeral Directors with Bro. Jim Wismer officiating. Burial will follow at Wesley Chapel Cemetery in Chickasaw Co. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to service time today. Survivors include her son, Billy Joe "BJ" Higginbotham, Jr. (Kristy) of Pontotoc; two daughters, Beth H. Davis (Bud) of Okolona and Nelda Bell (Donnie) of Fulton; brothers, Raymond Paden (Kathy) and Walter Paden, all of Houlka, and one sister, Thelma Davis (Travis), all of Houlka; brother-in-law, Tommy Davis of Houlka; grandchildren, Kristy White (B.G. White), Trey Davis, Savannah Davis, Paden Bell, Abbie Bell, Jeremiah Bell, Julia Hope Higginbotham, and Bo Hill Higginbotham; great-grandchild, Easton Parker White. She was preceded in death by her Parents and husband, Billy Joe Higginbotham who died March 13, 2012; two brothers, Hugh Stanley Paden and Robert Earl Paden; grandson, Dallas Davis, and sister, Wilma Davis who died the same day on January 10, 2017. Pallbearers will be Robbie Paden, Mike Paden, Jess Davis, Trey Davis, Josh Paden and Tom Paden. Funeral Home Holland Funeral Directors 5281 Cliff Gookin Blvd Tupelo, MS 38801 (662) 840-5000.

The Daily Journal 03/13/2017

Merdie Higginbotham Foster (1934-2017) MS

Merdie "Eardeal" Foster, 82, passed away on Friday, March 10, 2017, at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo, Mississippi. She was born on October 15, 1934 in Houston, Mississippi and was a child of the late Jack Higginbotham and Flora Blansett Higginbotham. She attended Houston Schools. She married Grady Foster on October 11, 1952. Together they had 2 daughters and 1 son. She was a member of the Thaxton United Pentecostal Church. She was employed as an inspector for Indian Creek. Her family gave her the greatest enjoyment throughout her lifetime. She cherished her children, grandchildren and her church family. Merdie was known to keep an immaculate house and prided herself in being a true Southern lady. She was very independent lady. Shopping with her family was a favorite pastime along with going on trips with her sisters. She was known as a wonderful cook and made the best chocolate gravy. Merdie loved to go out to eat at Kentucky Fried Chicken. When listening to music, she listened to Southern Gospel and Blue Grass. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Grady Foster; a grandchild, Rita Foster; Great-grandchild, Miciah Cooper Bullock; sisters, Katherine Shuler and Ruby Long. She is survived by her daughters, Trudy Lane, Shannon, Kathy Southard, Blue Mountain; son, Billy Foster (Sheryl), Aberdeen; sisters, Melba Bishop (Doug), Tupelo, Maxine Winsett, Vardaman; grandchildren, Jason, Timothy, and Candice Foster, Brandon Scott, Lana Bullock, David Randall, Jr., Brandi Allen, Leslie Elam, Joshua Southard; 11 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews. Services for Mrs. Merdie Foster will be at 1:00 P.M., on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at E.E. Pickle Funeral Home Chapel in Amory. Bro Coy Hill will be officiating. Burial will follow at Wesley Chapel Cemetery in Houston, MS. Pallbearers will be: Randy Griffin, David Ferguson, Justin Elam, Brandon Scott, David Randall, Jr., John Mask. Honorary pallbearers will be: Doug Bishop, Robbie, Butch, Jason and Timothy Foster, Phil Smith, and Jason Allen. Visitation for Mrs. Foster will be on Monday night, March 13, 2017 from 4:00 - 8:00 P.M. at E.E. Pickle Funeral Home in Amory. Memorials may be sent to St. Jude's Children Research Hospital, 500 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to the American Cancer Society . Funeral Home E.E. Pickle Funeral Home 500 Third Avenue South Amory, MS 38821 (662) 256-2644.

Starkville Daily News 06/03/2017

Wilena Higginbotham Stark (1923-2017) MS

Wilena Higginbotham Stark passed away Wednesday morning, May 31, 2017, at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland, Mississippi. She was born in 1923 in the Methodist parsonage in Louise, Mississippi, the daughter of the Rev. C.Y. and Fannie Sarah Whittington Higginbotham. Wilena grew up in a number of towns where her father served as minister for the Mississippi Methodist Conference. She graduated from Johns High School in Rankin County in 1940. After completing studies at Clark Business School in Jackson, she was employed by the Mississippi Forestry Commission for ten years as Secretary to the State Forester. It was here that she met Meredith Osborn (Mike) Stark, a Forestry graduate of Louisiana State University and a native of Bunkie, Louisiana, and Gulfport, Mississippi. Wilena and Mike were married in September 1945 at Galloway United Methodist Church in Jackson. After four years as a district forester for the state Mike was employed with International Paper Company, while Wilena remained at the Forestry Commission. They moved to Lexington, Mississippi, in 1952 to establish Stark Timber Company. During her 41 years in Lexington, Wilena (Wil) was active in the First United Methodist Church, serving as president of the United Methodist Women, as a member of the church's Administrative Board, as chairman of various committees, and as a Sunday school and vacation Bible school teacher. She was also a member of the Lexington Garden Club and the Lucky 12 Club. In addition to helping her husband in his business throughout the years, she was a caring wife, mother, aunt, and grandmother and a talented hostess and homemaker. Her children remember fondly her seafood gumbo, shrimp creole, beef and pork roasts, delicious pound cake, and fresh vegetables from Mike's garden. Wil and Mike enjoyed traveling, and she continued to do so after his death in 1986. She especially liked visiting the National Parks and several Elderhostels, including two weeks in Austria. Upon returning to Jackson in 1993 Wilena joined St. Luke's United Methodist Church where she was active in the United Methodist Women, Wednesday for Adults, and an adult bible study class. She spent her last years at The Orchard retirement home in Ridgeland, where she renewed friendships with prior acquaintances from around Mississippi and made many new friends, played bridge, enjoyed music performances and bingo and other activities, and read on her iPad. Mike and Wil were blessed with three children, Rebecca Stark (David Sachs) of Manhattan, Kansas; John Meredith Stark (Christy) of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; and Katherine Landrum (Larry) of Florence, Mississippi. "Mama Wil" was grandmother to Benjamin Stark-Sachs and Jonathan Stark-Sachs of Manhattan, Kansas, and Ann Stewart-Sachs of Stockholm, Sweden. Additional survivors include Christy's children and grandchildren in Tennessee, Texas, and Colorado; Larry's children and grandchildren in Washington and Idaho; her older brother John (Evelyn) Higginbotham of Brandon; younger siblings Sarah Halford of Meadville, Cole (Clara) Higginbotham, Jr., of Pearl, and Ralph (Kay) Higginbotham of Clinton; and her Higginbotham and Stark family nieces and nephews in Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, New York, New Jersey, and Maine. She was preceded in death by her husband M.O. Stark and her brother-in-law Wayne Halford of Meadville. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 3, at 2:00 PM at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 621 Duling Avenue, Jackson, Mississippi, in the Fondren neighborhood. Visitation will precede the service from 1:00 - 2:00 PM in the St. Luke's sanctuary and welcome center. A graveside service will be held at 3:00 PM the following day, Sunday, June 4, at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Starkville, Mississippi. Parkway Funeral Home in Ridgeland, Mississippi, is in charge of arrangements. The family is thankful for the wonderful service provided by Wilena's many caregivers at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, The Orchard, Sta-Home Health, St. Joseph Hospice outpatient care, and Hospice Ministries.

06/09/2017

Regina Shepperd Higginbotham (1963-2017) MS

September 24, 1963 - June 7, 2017

Mrs. Regina Shepperd Higginbotham, 53, passed away surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, June 7, 2017, at her residence in Louisville, Mississippi. Visitation will be Friday, June 9, 2017, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Nowell Massey Funeral Home in Louisville, Mississippi. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 10, 2017, in the Nowell Massey Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Mark Thompson officiating. Interment will follow in Mashulaville Baptist Church Cemetery. Regina was born September 24, 1963 to Troy and Joyce Hemphill Shepperd. She is a member of New Covenant Assembly of God Church. Regina is a 1981 graduate of Louisville High School. She earned an Associate’s degree from East Central Community College and her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. She was currently employed as the County Director of the Department of Human Services in Winston County. Regina loved to cook, read, watch the hummingbirds swarm around the feeders, and she enjoyed her pet chickens having them so tame they would eat blueberries from her hand. She loved the Lord and her church family. She was a devoted wife and mother and took great pleasure in the time spent with them. Regina is survived by her husband of 27 years, Ricky Higginbotham; her son, Andrew Higginbotham; her mother, Joyce Shepperd, all of Louisville; and her mother-in-law, Peggy Sue Higginbotham of Mashulaville, Mississippi. She is also survived by four sisters-in-law: Tammy Cade, Tina Buchanan and husband, Richey; Kim Yates and husband, Nathan; and Darlene Shepperd; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her father; and her brother, Emmett Shepperd. Serving as pallbearers are Tim Adair, Dale Buchanan, Christopher Dill, Jimmy Lovorn, Tim Shepperd, and Will Shepperd. Honorary pallbearers are Freddie Eaves and Terry Shepperd. Memorial contributions in honor of Regina may be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P. O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142 or to Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children, Office of Development, 2500 N. State Street, Jackson, MS 39216. Services are under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS.

The Daily Journal 06/18/2017

James Richard Higginbotham (1953-2017) MS

James Richard (Ricky) Higginbotham, 63, passed away on Friday, June 16 at Merit Health Gilmore Hospital. Born on September 2, 1953, in Amory, he was a son of the late James E. and Mildred Pickle Higginbotham. He was of the Methodist faith and graduated from Nettleton High School. He married Martha Lynn Armstrong on October 20, 1973. Affectionately known as "Railrider", he worked for the BNSF railroad for 42 years. He retired on September 1, 2013. He was a founding board member of the Standifer Creek /Cross Creek Hunting Club. He served as treasurer and secretary for the hunting clubs. He was an avid supporter of the National Rifle Association. Hunting was his sport. He loved to hunt with his son and grandchildren. Ricky loved to walk his dogs and listen to them run while hunting. Ricky's life was centered around his loving family. He loved to grill for them and loved to make memories as he spent time with his grandchildren. Before hunting season would start, Ricky would store up all kinds of snacks for those who wanted to hunt. He was known as the "Mobile Grocery Store". His family and hunting community will miss him in that he was a generous and loving man who took care of everyone. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandparents: James Perry and Kizzy Higginbotham and Virdo and Emma Pickle. Ricky is survived by his loving wife, Lynn; daughter, Masha Laney (Neal), Nettleton; son, Jake Higginbotham (Leah), Amory; sisters, Linda Cruber, Nettleton and Deb Nash (Bert), Smithville; grandchildren: Jacob, Sara, Easton and Riley Higginbotham, Mason and Cooper Laney; nieces and nephews: Poppy Cruber, Terry Sullivan, Cindy Sullivan, Randy Sullivan, Rusty Burroughs and Kendi Hitt. Graveside services will be at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, June 20, at Pine Grove Cemetery. Bro. Rob Sargent will be officiating. Pallbearers will be his grandchildren and Neal Laney, Michah Bauch and Jason Dean. Honorary pallbearers will be the Standifer Creek/ Cross Creek members. Visitation for Ricky Higginbotham will be from 5:00 - 8:00 PM on Monday, June 19, 2017 at E.E. Pickle Funeral Home, Amory. Memorials may be sent to LeBonheur Children's Hospital, PO Box 41817, Memphis, Tn 38174-1817.

The Sun Herald 06/25/2017

Melba Ruth Higginbotham (1932-2017) MS

Melba Ruth Higginbotham, age 85, entered her heavenly home in the loving arms of God on Thursday, June 22, 2017. She arrived on her mother's birthday. What a joyful celebration must have taken place! Ruth was born in Biloxi to Nelson and Edna (Delcambre) Higginbotham on February 25, 1932. She was a lifelong resident of Biloxi and a member of Blessed Francis Seelos (St. John) Catholic Church. In 1949, she graduated from Biloxi High School, where she participated in various clubs and was a member of the band. Ruth graduated from Charity Hospital of Nursing in New Orleans, LA. After receiving her nursing degree, she dedicated 37 years of her professional life to the Veterans Administration Hospital. Because of her strong will to lead and her desire to serve, she was placed in a management position as a head nurse. She served her church as a lector and Eucharistic Minister for numerous years. Ruth was a C.Y.O. sponsor for St. John Catholic Church and led the youth of the Biloxi Diocese for 25 years to the mission of Saltillo, Mexico to serve the poorest of the poor. She was presented the Father Patrick Quinn Award for continuous years of service to the youth. She also donated her time to tutoring students at Gorenflo School and D'Iberville Middle School. Melba is preceded in death by her parents, Nelson and Edna Higginbotham; sister, Shirley Parker; brothers, Percy, George, Curtis, Dennis, and Carey Higginbotham; nephews, Randy, David, Johnny, and Scott Higginbotham; and nieces, Brenda LaGrone and Mary Grace Higginbotham. Survivors include a special sister, Rose Mary Tiblier; nephew, Eddie Parker; caregivers and friends, Nellie and John Cruso; and many nieces and nephews. We would like to thank Bay Cove Memory Center for the care they provided in her later years. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations be made to St. Vincent de Paul Pharmacy, 715 Division Street, Biloxi, MS 39530, (228) 374-9097, or Blessed Seelos Catholic Church, 360 Lameuse St, Biloxi, MS 39530, (228) 435-0007. Visitation will be held Monday, June 26, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., with a 12:00 Noon Mass of Christian Burial, all at Blessed Seelos Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Biloxi City Cemetery. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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