WV African American Higginbotham Obituaries

Transcribed by William Morris Higginbotham

Misterhigg@aol.com

Charleston, WV

1999

Charleston Gazette, Monday 10/07/1929
John Higginbotham (ca 1845-1929) African American
John Higginbotham, 84, died Sunday morning at the home of his son at Levi. The funeral will be conducted at the Baptist church at Levi at one o’clock Wednesday afternoon and the burial will be at Ward.
Mr. Higginbotham, who was a native of Virginia, is survived by his widow, Rebecca Higginbotham; three sons, John, Charles and William, and one daughter, Mrs. Bessie Johnson.
The body will be at Campbell’s undertaking establishment, Charleston, until the day of the funeral.

Charleston Gazette, Friday 03/06/1931
Rebecca Roberts Higginbotham (ca 1850-1931) African American
Mrs. Rebecca Higginbotham, 81, died yesterday morning at her home at Levi. Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Bessie Johnson of Providence, R. I.; three sons, John Higginbotham of Virginia; Charles and W. R. Higginbotham of Levi and one sister, Mrs. Eliza Johnson of New York.
Charleston Gazette, Tuesday 08/13/1940
Henry Higginbotham (African American)
Services will be held at 2 p.m. tomorrow at the Acme Methodist church for Henry Higginbotham, 71, who died Sunday at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Anna Brown of Red Warrior. Rev. J. C. Young will officiate and the Pryor mortuary of East Bank will have charge of burial in Red Warrior cemetery.
Also surviving are another daughter, Mrs. Myrtle McKinney of Omar, and two sons, Raymond of Eskdale and Petris of Mallory.
The body will be removed to Mrs. Brown’s home today.
Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Saturday 10/19/1940
Jestine Jones Young Higginbotham (African American)
Mrs. Jeston Higginbotham died Friday night at the home of her son, W. G. Young, 125 Park street. Mrs. Higginbotham has been an invalid for a number of years. She is survived by two sons, W. G. Young, of this city, Siemon Young, of New York city, and Miss Cecil Young, a daughter, of New York. Funeral announcements will be announced.

12/06/1934 Charleston Daily Mail
Charles Watson Higginbotham (1873-1934) African-American
Headline: Levi Man, 60, Hit By Auto, Killed
Charles Higginbotham, 61-years-old, Levi Negro, died Thursday in a city hospital following an auto accident late Wednesday afternoon at Levi. Hospital physicians had held little hope of his recovery.
State police, who investigated, said that Higginbotham walked directly into the path of an auto - when he started across route No. 60 to talk to a man in a wagon. The driver of the car swerved his car but could not avoid hitting Higginbotham, the officers said they were informed.
12/07/1934 Charleston Daily Mail
Charles W. Higginbotham, colored, 61 years old, of Levi, died Thursday at a Charleston hospital of injuries he suffered when he was struck by an automobile near Levi on Wednesday. The body is at Harden and Harden mortuary.
Surviving are the widow, Mrs. Mary Higginbotham; five daughters, Mrs. Bessie Taylor, of Charleston; Mrs. Ruby Sales, of Ferndale; Mrs. Della Jones, of Washington; Mrs. Vivian Minor, and Miss. Katherine Higginbotham of Levi; seven sons, Dennie, Roy, Clarence, Woodrow and Patrick Higginbotham, of Levi; Charles and Kinkle Higginbotham, of Washington; one sister, Mrs. Bessie Johnson, of Providence, R. I.; two brothers, William of Levi, and John, of Glasgow, Va. and nine grandchildren.

Charleston Gazette, Wednesday 04/08/1942
Ernestine VanHook Higginbotham (1912-1942) African American
Mrs. Ernestine Vanhook Higginbotham, 29, of Levi, died Monday night in a local hospital.
Surviving are her husband, Frank Higginbotham; three sons, Harold, Frank Gordon and Ernest Clayborn Higginbotham; a daughter, Carolyn Patricia; four brothers, Arlo Vanhook of Washington, D.C., Georgie Vanhook of Stanford, Delmar Vanhook of Levi and Kenneth Vanhook, a student at West Virginia University. The body is at the Harden and Harden mortuary.

Charleston Gazette, Monday 08/23/1943
Franklin Thomas Higginbotham (1943) African American
Franklin Thomas, 2-week-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Higginbotham, of Rand, died Sunday morning at the home. The body is in the Preston-Lawson mortuary pending arrangements. A sister, Rose Mary, and brother, Clarence, Jr.; also the grandmothers, Mrs. Mary Higginbotham, Rand, and Mrs. Pearl Mills, Charleston, also survive.

Charleston Gazette, Wednesday 08/15/1945
William Reed Higginbotham Sr. (1875-1945) African American
Higginbotham, William Reed—Services will be held at 2 p.m. tomorrow at the Levi Baptist Church. H. P. Woodson will officiate. Burial will be in Ward Cemetery. The body will be at the church two hours before the services. Mr. Higginbotham died Saturday at his home in Rand.
 

Charleston Gazette, 05/09/1949
Mabel Ester Higginbotham Wilson (1905-1949) VA/WV African American

The Charleston Gazette 02/08/1951

Thelma R. Higginbotham Slater (aft1898-1951) WV/IL African-American

Mrs. Thelma Slater Dies at Chicago Home

Mrs. Slater had taught school at Dunbar Elementary School before leaving for Chicago eight years ago. She was the widow of Eurich Slater, who had taught at Boyd Junior High School.

Mrs. Slater is survived by one son, Eurich Slater, Jr.; of Chicago; her mother, Mrs. Mary Ann Taylor of Falls Mill Va.; one sister, Mrs. Eula Mitchell of Bluefield, and one brother, Raymond Higginbotham of Bluefield.

Charleston Gazette 12/1952
Mary Estelle Worth Isabel Higginbotham (1885-1952) WV African-American
Mrs. Mary E. Higginbotham, 67, of Rand, died yesterday at Boiarsky Memorial Hospital.

She was a member of Rand Baptist Church, the Willing Workers Club of Rand and the Rand Missionary Society.

Surviving are five daughters, Mrs. Bess Taylor of Charleston, Mrs. Della Jones of Washington, D.C., Mrs. Katherine Smith of Kayford, Mrs. Ruby Sales and Mrs. Vivian Minor, both of Rand; seven sons, Woodrow of Washington, Charles of Seattle, Wash., Patrick of Charleston, and Dennis, Clarence, Roy and Kinkle, all of Rand; a sister, Mrs. Florence Hendricks of Prudence; three brothers, Fred and Patrick Isabel of Prudence, and Homer of Charleston; 30 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

The body is at Harden and Harden Mortuary.

Mary E. Higginbotham – Service will be at 1:30 tomorrow in Rand Baptist Church with Rev. H. P. Woodson officiating. Burial will be in Spring Hill Cemetery. The body will be taken from Harden and Harden mortuary to the home at 6 p.m. today and to the church an hour before service. Mrs. Higginbotham, 67, of Rand died Saturday in Boiarsky Memorial Hospital.

Charleston Gazette, Sunday 09/26/1953
Pearl Octavia Nelson Higginbotham (1884-1953) WV African-American
Headline: Mrs. Higginbotham Is Dead at Age of 71
Mrs. Pearl Nelson Higginbotham, 71, widow of W. R. Higginbotham Sr., died early yesterday in her home at Rand after a long illness.
She had lived at Rand the past 31 years and was a member of First Baptist Church.
Surviving are three sons, John and W. R., both of Charleston and Frank of Rand; seven daughters, Mrs. Blanche Pollard of Yonkers, N.Y., Miss Grace Higginbotham of Stamford, Conn., Miss Helena Higginbotham of Columbus, O., Mrs. Phyllis Meadows of Montgomery, and Mrs. Lillian Cosby and Mrs. Doris Foy, both of Rand and Mrs. Viola Clark of Columbus, O.; three brothers, Alex Nelson of Rand, Robert of Bluefield and William of Columbus and 14 grandchildren.
The body is at Harden and Harden mortuary.
Charleston Daily Mail, Sunday 09/27/1953
Higginbotham, Mrs. Pearl Nelson—Funeral services will be held today at 3:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Rand. The Rev. Oscar Moore will officiate. Burial will follow in Ward cemetery under direction of Hardin and Hardin mortuary.
Mrs. Higginbotham, 71, died Friday at her home in Rand after a long illness.
The body will be taken from the mortuary to the church an hour before service.

Higginbotham, Mrs. Pearl Nelson—Funeral services will be held today at 3:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Rand. The Rev. Oscar Moore will officiate. Burial will follow in Ward cemetery under direction of Hardin and Hardin mortuary. Mrs. Higginbotham, 71, died Friday at her home in Rand after a long illness. The body will be taken from the mortuary to the church an hour before service.

Charleston Daily Mail 06/02/1958
Harry J. Higginbotham (ca1912-1958) WV/NJ African American
Oak Hill - Harry J. Higginbotham, 46, of Harvey, Fayette County, died of a heart attack yesterday in East Orange, N. J., at the home of a cousin, with whom he has been living.
Survivors include two sisters, Mrs. Jessie Willard of Charleston and Mrs. Millie Brown of Whipple; his father, P. H. of Charleston, and two brothers, Allen and Algin, both of New Jersey.
The body is at the Dodd Funeral Home in East Orange.

Charleston Gazette, Friday 01/19/1962
Dennis Franklin Higginbotham (1904-1962) African American
Dennis Higginbotham, 57, of Rand, died Thursday in a Charleston hospital after a long illness. A retired duPont employee, he was a lifelong Rand resident. Surviving are six brothers, Kinkle, Roy and Clarence, all of Rand, Charles and Woodrow, both of Washington, D. C., and Patrick Higginbotham of Columbus, Ohio; five sisters, Mrs. Bess Taylor of Charleston, Mrs. Ruby Sales and Mrs. Vivian Minor, both of Rand, Mrs. Catherine Smith of Bluefield and Mrs. Della Jones of Washington. Service will be conducted at 3 p.m. Saturday in Levi First Baptist Church at Rand by Rev. Oscar Moore. Burial will be in Spring Hill Cemetery at Charleston. The body will be taken from Harden and Harden Funeral Home to the church two hours before service.

Charleston Gazette, Saturday 07/24/1965
Patrick Henry Higginbotham (1874-1965) African American
Higginbotham, P. H.—91, Harvey, Fayette County, Friday in Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital. Retired miner, deacon and member Harvey Baptist Church, superintendent of the Sunday School. Surviving: daughters, Mrs. Millie Brown of Whipple, Mrs. Jessie Dorcas of Charleston; son, Alex of Brooklyn, NY; brother, the Rev. J. A. of Beckley. Service 1:30 p.m. Monday, Harvey Baptist Church. Greenwood Memorial Park. Ritchie-Johnson Funeral Home, Beckley.

Charleston Gazette-Mail, Sunday 10/23/1966
Ethel Christabel Jackson Higginbotham (1908-1966) African-American
City Resident, Veteran State Teacher Dies
Mrs. Ethel Christabel Higginbotham, a veteran West Virginia school teacher, died Saturday in Charleston Memorial Hospital. She lived at 2110 Washington St., W.
Mrs. Higginbotham was a member of the First Baptist Church, the church usher board, Smarter Set Social Club, and the Women’s Improvement League.
She also was active in the NAACP and Phi Delta Kappa sorority.
She was a graduate of West Virginia State and had taught in Raleigh County.
Surviving are husband, John Higginbotham; daughter, Janet at home; son, John Jr. at home; sister, Mrs. Winona Jackson of Rand.
Service will be 3 p.m. Tuesday, First Baptist Church. Burial in Spring Hill Cemetery.
The body is at Preston Funeral Home.

Charleston Gazette, Monday 06/16/1969
John Edward Higginbotham (1903-1969) African American
Higginbotham, John Edward—65, of 212 2112 Washington St. W. Sunday evening in Valley Convalescent Home after along illness. Retired employee of Greyhound Bus Co. and lifelong resident of Charleston. Surviving: daughter, Janet, at home; son, John E. II, at home; sisters, Grace of Stanford, Conn., Mrs. Blanche Pollard of Yonkers, N.Y., Helena of Columbus, Ohio, Mrs. Lillian Cosby, Mrs. Doris Foy, and Mrs. Phyllis Meadows, all of Rand; brothers, Frank of Rand and William R. of Charleston. Body at Preston Funeral Home.
(Buried 06/19/1969 in Spring Hill Cemetery, Charleston, WV.)

Charleston Daily Mail  08/25/1969
Grace Higginbotham (ca1912-1969) WV/CT African American
Miss Grace Higginbotham, 57, of Stamford, Conn., formerly of Charleston, died today in Stamford General Hospital after a long illness.
Survivors: sisters, Mrs. Blanche Pollard of Yonkers, N. Y., Mrs. Doris Fay, Mrs. Phyllis Meadows and Mrs. Lillian Cosby of Rand, Miss Helena Higginbotham of Columbus, Ohio; brothers, William R. and Frank Higginbotham of Charleston.
The body is at the Downer Funeral Home in Stamford and will be sent to the Harden and Harden Funeral Home here.
 

 
Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Monday 11/10/1969
William McKinley Higginbotham (1898-1969) African American
Funeral services for William McKinley Higginbotham, 71, of 100 Hale Street, Bluefield, Va., who died Friday in a Bluefield hospital following a long illness, will be conducted Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the Bethel Methodist Church in Bluefield, Va. Rev. Allen R. Fleshman, Rev. James A. Palmer and Rev. Clarence Johnson will officiate and burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery at Bluewell.
Born in Tazewell, Va., he was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. William Higginbotham. He had been a resident of Bluefield, Va. the past 50 years.
He was an employee of the West Virginian Hotel in Bluefield until ill health forced his retirement. He was a member of the Bethel Methodist Church, where he served as church treasurer and member of the Senior Choir.
Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Eva Saunders Higginbotham; two sons, Henry and George Higginbotham of Los Angeles, Calif.; 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be George Bratton, Thadeus Bratton, Vernon Adams, Orrin Trigg, McDuffa Lilly, and Lapaze Palmer.
Flower bearers will be Mrs. Ruth Anderson, Mrs. Catherine Walton, Mrs. Linda Elliston, Mrs. Almeda Brown, and the Women’s Society of Christian Service of the Bethel Methodist Church.
Friends may call at the Sinkford and Richardson Funeral Home after 5 p.m. today and after 1 p.m. Tuesday at the church.

Beckley Post Herald 07/11/1970

Edna Mitchell Higginbotham Motley (1883-1970) VA/WV

Mrs. Edna Motley Dies; Rites Pending

Final arrangements are incomplete for Mrs. Edna Motley, 87, of Raleigh, who died at 11:15p.m. Thursday in a local hospital following a long illness. Born March 14, 1883 at Tazewell, Va., she was the daughter of the late Mrs. Lillie Mitchell. Survivors include two sons, Petris of Cora, and Raymond Higginbotham of Ore well, Ohio; two daughters, Mrs. Annie Brown of Raleigh and Mrs. Myrtle McKinney of Omar, and seven grandchildren. The body is at the Ritchie and Johnson Funeral Parlor.

Beckley Post-Herald, Monday 09/21/1970
Rev. James Archie Higginbotham (1891-1970) African-American
Rites Incomplete For Minister, 79
The Rev. James A. Higginbotham, 79, of 122 Sour St., East Park, died in a local nursing home at 5 p.m. Sunday after a long illness.
He was born in Amherst County, Va., a son of the late Thomas and Viney Lee Higginbotham.
He served as pastor of the Pleasant Valley Baptist Church at Carlisle at the time of his death and has pastored various other churches in the New River District over the past 50 years. He was vice president of the New River Ministers and Deacons Union, was a trustee of the West Virginia State Baptist Convention, a member of the Just Right Masonic Lodge No. 27 of Harlem Heights, a veteran of World War I, and a retired coal miner.
Survivors include his widow, Vernie Luck Higginbotham; three granddaughters; one stepdaughter, Mrs. J. Douglas Anderson of Dunbar.
The body is at Ritchie and Johnson Funeral Parlor pending completion of arrangements.
Beckley Post-Herald, Tuesday 09/22/1970
Rev. James Archie Higginbotham
Funeral services for the Rev. James A. Higginbotham, 79, of 122 Sour St., will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday in the New Hope Baptist Church with the Revs. W. A. Jones, Warren Lewis and Ray Washington officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Park.
He died Sunday at 5 p.m. in a local nursing home following a long illness.
Friends may call at the Ritchie and Johnson Funeral Parlor between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Wednesday.

Charleston Gazette, Friday 02/19/1971
Lucius L. Higginbotham (1887-1971) African American
Higginbotham, Lucius L. “Hicks”—83, of 110 117th St., Chesapeake, Thursday in Charleston Memorial Hospital. Retired miner for Kelleys Creek Colliery Co. at Ward, member of Bethlehem Baptist Church of Chesapeake. Surviving: widow, Alice B.; daughter, Miss Josephine Higginbotham of Chesapeake; son, Charles B. of Long Branch, N.J., William L. of Columbus, Ohio. Preston Funeral Home.
Charleston Gazette-Mail, Sunday 02/21/1971
Higginbotham, Lucius L. “Hicks”—Service 1 p.m. Monday, Bethlehem Baptist Church, Chesapeake, the Rev. Emmitt Mitchell and the Rev. Henry Moon. Ward Cemetery. Mr. Higginbotham, 83, of 110 117th St., Chesapeake, died Thursday in Charleston Memorial Hospital after a long illness. Body to church an hour before service. Callers after 7 p.m. today at Preston Funeral Home.

Charleston Daily Mail, Wednesday 10/13/1971
Tytyne Atmonia Logan Higginbotham (1902-1971) African American
Retired Logan Teacher Taken
Logan—Mrs. Tytyne Higginbotham, a teacher in Logan County for 42 years, died Saturday in a Beckley Hospital.
Mrs. Higginbotham, of Shamrock in Logan County, last taught at Earling Grade School.
A graduate of Bluefield State College, she was a member of St. Phillips Baptist Church of Cora, a past basileus of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, a past president of the county and state Federated Women’s Club and an officer of the Crippled Children’s Society.
Surviving: husband, Tetris (Petris); son, Henry Tetris of Seattle, Wash.; sister, Mrs. Nina Smith of Beckley.
Service will be 2 p.m. Sunday in St. Phillips Baptist Church in Cora with the Rev. J. T. Mann officiating. Burial will be in Guyan Memorial Gardens at Godby.
Friends may call after 6 p.m. Saturday at Pond Funeral Home in Logan.

Charleston Daily Mail 08/23/1972
Ernest Claybourne Higginbotham (1933-1972) WV/OH
Ernest Claybourne Higginbotham, 39, of Columbus, Ohio, formerly of Charleston, died Monday at his home of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to a member of the family.
He was an employee of Columbus Housing Authority and was a Korean War veteran.
Surviving: wife, Jacqueline; son, Ernest Jr.; father, Frank Higginbotham of Rand; brothers, Harold of Pensacola, Fla., Frank Jr. of Charleston; sister, Mrs. Carolyn Hicks of Charleston.
Service will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. in Gay Tabernacle in Columbus. Burial will be in Columbus.
McNabb Funeral Home, Columbus, is in charge is arrangements.

Charleston Gazette, Saturday 06/23/1973
Petris Allen Higginbotham (1903-1973) African American
Shamrock—Petris Allen Higginbotham, 69, of Shamrock, Logan County, died Friday in Logan General Hospital.
He was a retired miner and was a member of St. Phillips Baptist Church at Cora. Mr. Higginbotham lived in Logan County 50 years.
Surviving: wife, Helen L.; son, Petris Jr. of Seattle, Wash.; step-daughter, Miss Rena Tolliver of Shamrock; step-son, Thomas Tolliver Jr. of Shamrock; sisters, Mrs. Annie Brown of Beckley, Mrs. Myrtle McKinney of Omar; brother, Raymond Higginbotham of Dayton, Ohio.
The body is at Chapman Funeral Home, Logan.
Charleston Gazette-Mail, Sunday 06/24/1973
Higginbotham, Petris Allen—Service will be 1:30 p.m. Monday in St. Phillips Baptist Church, Cora, with the Rev. J. T. Mann officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Pecks Mill. Mr. Higginbotham, 69, of Shamrock, Logan County, died Friday in Logan General Hospital.
The body is at Chapman Funeral Home, Logan, where friends may call after 6 p.m. today and will be taken to the church one hour before the service.

Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Friday 07/18/1975
Raymond Higginbotham (ca 1915-1975) African-American
Raymond Higginbotham of Bluefield died Tuesday in a Bluefield hospital following a long illness.
He was a son of the late Will and Mary Higginbotham.
Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Edna Higginbotham; three sons, Raymond Higginbotham, Jr. of Goldsboro, N.C., Ernest Higginbotham of Washington, D.C., and Billy Higginbotham of Bluefield; and three grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held a 2 p.m. Saturday at the Sinkford and Richardson Funeral Chapel in Bluefield. Burial will follow in Restlawn Memorial Gardens at Littlesburg. Friends will be pallbearers and will carry flowers.
Friends may call at the funeral home from 6 until 9 p.m.

Charleston Gazette, Monday 09/22/1975
Gallack Charles Higginbotham (1908-1975) African-American
Charles “Gat” Higginbotham, 68, of Washington, D.C., formerly of Rand, died Saturday in the Memorial Division of CAMC after a long illness.
He was a member of the Levi Baptist Church, Rand. Mr. Higginbotham was a retired construction worker in Washington, D.C.
Surviving: sisters, Mrs. Bess Taylor of Charleston, Mrs. Ruby Sales and Mrs. Vivian Minor, both of Rand, Mrs. Della Jones of Washington, D.C., Mrs. Katherine Patterson of Bluefield; brothers, Kinkle, Roy, and Clarence Higginbotham, all of Rand, Woodrow and Patrick, both of Washington, D.C.
Preston Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Charleston Gazette, Wednesday 09/24/1975
Higginbotham, Charles—Service will be 1 p.m. Thursday in Preston Funeral Home with the Rev. J.C. Ealy officiating. Burial will be in Spring Hill Cemetery. Friends may call after 1 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family will accept friends from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Mr. Higginbotham, 68, of Washington, D.C., formerly of Rand, died Saturday in Memorial Division, CAMC, after a long illness.

Charleston Daily Mail 09/16/1977
Ruby Eugenia Higginbotham Sales (1902-1977) WV African-American
Mrs. Ruby Eugenia Sales, 74, of 4915 Church Drive, Rand, died Thursday in Charleston General Hospital after a long illness.
She was a 50 year member of the Levi First Baptist Church in Rand and the Willing Hands.
Surviving: daughters, Mrs. Nancy Phiffer and Mrs. Ruby Davison of Charleston, Miss Mary Sales and Mrs. Peggy Taylor of Washington, D. C., Mrs. Pamela Wills of Rand; sons, Charles of Chillicothe, Ohio, James John and Manuel of Rand, Nicholas of Forest Hill, Md.; sisters, Mrs. Bessie Taylor of Charleston, Mrs. Della Jones of Washington, Mrs. Vivian Minor of Rand, Mrs. Catherine Patterson of Bluefield; brothers, Kinkle Higginbotham, Roy Higginbotham and Clarence Higginbotham of Rand, Woodrow Higginbotham and Patrick Higginbotham of Washington.
Preston Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements
 

 
Charleston Gazette-Mail, Sunday 05/28/1978
Roy Arbra Higginbotham Sr. (1916-1978) African-American
Roy A. Higginbotham, 61, of 5419 Church Drive, Rand, died Saturday in General Division, CAMC, after a short illness.
He was an employee of Union Carbide for 32 years. A resident of Rand for 27 years, he was a World War II veteran and was a member of Levi Baptist Church, the American Legion, and the NAACP.
Surviving: wife, Mildred; sons, Roy Jr., Dennis and Andre, all at home; daughters, Wilma at home, Velma of Washington, D.C.; brothers, Kinkle and Clarence, both of Rand, Woodrow and Patrick, both of Washington; sisters, Mrs. Bess Taylor of Charleston, Mrs. Della Jones of Washington, Mrs. Vivian Minor of Rand, Mrs. Catherine Patterson of Bluefield.
Harden-Harden Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Charleston Gazette, Wednesday 08/16/1978
Esther Corene Higginbotham (1906-1978) African-American
Miss Esther C. Higginbotham, 71, of 5022 Kanawha Blvd., died Tuesday in General Division, CAMC, after a long illness.
She was a member of Levi Baptist Church in Rand.
Surviving: sisters, Mrs. Rosa Booker, Miss Arnor Higginbotham and Mrs. Maymie Gilbert, all of Rand, Mrs. Mollie Straughter of Inglewood, Calif.; half sister, Miss Lillie Ellis of Rand; brother, John of Rand; half brother, Robert Ellis of Rand.
Preston Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Monday 06/11/1979
Ada Wright Higginbothem (1881-1979) African-American
Mrs. James (Ada) Higginbothem, 98, of 132 Williams St. in Bluefield died Saturday afternoon in a Bluefield hospital following a long illness.
Born in Amherst Court House, Va., March 4, 1881, she was the daughter of the late Hiriam and Pauline Wright. She attended the County School of Amherst and Virginia State College. Mrs. Higginbothem taught school in Amherst County for a number of years. She was a member of Court Street Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Va. and was a member of the church choir. She was married to James Leslie Higginbothem who preceded her in death.
Survivors include one son, Dr. Peyton R. Higginbothem of Bluefield; one granddaughter and one great-granddaughter.
Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday at 10 a.m. from the Sinkford and Richardson Funeral Home in Bluefield with Rev. J. Matthew Coleman officiating. Burial will follow in Amherst Court House, Va.
Friends will serve as pallbearers and flowerbearers. Friends may call at the funeral home in Bluefield today from 6 to 9 p.m.

Charleston Gazette-Mail, Sunday 05/10/1981
Higginbotham, John William Jr. (1917-1981) African American
Higginbotham, John W. - service will be 1 p.m. Wednesday in Gantt AME Zion Church with the Rev. W. J. L. Wallace officiating. Burial will be in Spring Hill Cemetery. Friends may call from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7:30 to 8:30 today at Preston Funeral Home. Mr. Higginbotham, 63, of 5307 Church Drive, Rand, died Saturday in Memorial Division, CAMC, after a short illness.

Charleston Gazette, Thursday 08/30/1984
Frank Gordon Higginbotham (1907-1984) African American
Frank Higginbotham, 77, of 5210 Elaine Drive, Rand, died Tuesday in Memorial Division, CAMC, after a long illness.
He was a retired miner, a 60-year resident of the Kanawha Valley and a member of Levi Baptist Church.
Surviving: sons, Harold Edward of Pensacola, Fla., Frank G. of Charleston; daughter, Carolyn P. Hicks of Charleston; sisters, Blanche Pollard of Yonkers, N.Y., Helena Higginbotham of Columbus, Ohio, Doris Foy, Lillian Cosby and Phyllis Meadows, of Rand; brother, William R. of Rand; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren.
Harden-Harden Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Charleston Gazette, Monday 08/25/1986
Clarence Jefferson Higginbotham, Sr. (1917-1986) African American
Clarence J. Higginbotham, Sr. 68, of 4911 Raven Drive, Rand, died Saturday in Charleston Memorial Hospital after a long illness.
He was retired from the state of West Virginia as a messenger. He formerly worked at Wyatt Coal Company and was a construction worker. He was a member of Levi Baptist Church and a member of the General Laborer’s Union, 1353.
Surviving: wife, Thelma; daughters, Rosemary Lee and Vondaleera Artis, of Maryland, Gail Kendricks of Rand; sons, Clarence Jr. and Wallace of Washington, D.C., Frederick Jr. of Rand; brothers, Kinkle of Rand, and Woodrow of Washington, D.C.; sisters, Bessie Taylor of Charleston, Vivian Minor of Rand, Cathryn Patterson of Bluefield; 13 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren.
Services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday in the Levi Baptist Church, Rand, with the Rev. O.T. Moore and the Rev. J.C. Ealy officiating. Burial will be in Floral Hills in Pocatalico.
Friends may call on Tuesday from 2 to 4 p.m. at Harden and Harden Funeral Home and from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Levi Baptist Church.

Charleston Gazette, Monday 12/07/1987
Zemoria I. Dabney Higginbotham (1928-1987) African American
Mrs. Zemoria Higginbotham, 58, of 302 Bluefield Ave., Rand, died today at home after a long illness.
She was a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church and was on the Garnet High School Reunion Committee.
Surviving: sons, William Russell Higginbotham of Rand, Farris Higginbotham of Charleston; daughter, Zemoria Yancey of Aurora, Colo.; brother, Russell Dabney of Charleston; sisters, Mrs. Willa Ann Leonard and Mrs. Irene Terry, of Charleston; six grandchildren.
Preston Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Higginbotham, Zemoria - Service will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Charleston, with the Rev. Braxton Broady officiating. Burial will be in Spring Hill Cemetery, Charleston. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the church. Mrs. Higginbotham, 58, of 302 Bluefield Ave., Rand, died Dec. 7, 1987, at home, after a long illness. Preston Funeral Home, Charleston, is in charge of arrangements.

Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Monday 03/28/1988
Miriam Gwendolyn Hughes Higginbotham (1904-1988) African American
Mrs. Peyton Randolph (Miriam Gwendolyn) Hughes Higginbotham, 84, of 132 Williams St., Bluefield, died Thursday at Glenwood Park Methodist Home.
Born in Lynchburg, Va., she was the daughter of the late Bishop W. A. C. and Mary Butler Hughes. A Bluefield resident for more than 50 years, she was a member of the John Stewart United Methodist Church, where she served as directress of the junior choir from 1929-1952, a member of the United Methodist Women and past chairperson of Council on Ministries.
Mrs. Higginbotham attended public schools in Baltimore and continued her education at Minors Teachers College, D.C., the University if Pennsylvania and Bluefield State College. She was a member of the State Human Rights Commission, United Fund, lifetime member of the NAACP, past Midwest Regional Director of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, past National President of Bluefield State College Alumni Association, League for Service, Links of W. Va., originator of Jack and Jill of Bluefield, and Alpha Wives.
Survivors: husband, Dr. P. R. Higginbotham; daughter, Lynn B. Miller of Bluefield, Va.; sisters, Bernice H. Marin of Bluefield and Elaine Williams of Washington, D.C.; granddaughter, Rhoda Miller of Bluefield; and foster son, David L. Banks of Lynchburg.
The funeral will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at the John Stewart United Methodist Church in Bluefield with the Rev. Frederic W. Villinger and the Rev. George Bolden officiating. Burial will be at Monte Vista Park Cemetery on the Old Bluefield-Princeton Road.
Friends may call at Richardson Funeral Home of Bluefield from 6 to 9 p.m. today and at the church one hour prior to service. Members of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority will conduct a memorial service at 7:30 p.m. today, and members of Links of West Virginia will conduct a service at 8 p.m..

Charleston Gazette, Monday 05/23/1988
Nannie Beth Martin Higginbotham (1903-1988) African American
Mrs. Nannie Beth Higginbotham, 83, of 4801 Midland Drive, Rand, died May 21, 1988, in St. Francis Hospital after a long illness.
She was a member of the Levi First Missionary Baptist Church, Rand, the Willing Workers Club, Senior Choir, Missionary Society and Senior Usher Board. She was a 35-year resident of Rand.
Surviving: husband, Kinkle A. Higginbotham; daughter, Mrs. Vernell Megginson of Rand; son, Von of New Jersey; sister, Mrs. Toy Spann of Charleston; brother, Edison Martin of Lenora, Pa., eight grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren.
Scott Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Thursday 09/22/1988
Ruth Elizabeth Dickerson Higginbotham (1904-1988) VA African American
Mrs. Ruth Elizabeth Dickerson Higginbotham, 84, of Tazewell, Va., died Wednesday in a Tazewell hospital.
Born in Tazewell, she was a daughter of the late Mose and Anna Cecil Dickerson. She was a member of the Wilbur Memorial United Methodist Church of Tazewell. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Arthur Higginbotham.
Survivors: sons, James Arthur Higginbotham of Tazewell, George A. Higginbotham of Hampton, Va.; daughters, Mrs. Ruth McCoy of Tazewell, Mrs. Mary Ann Anderson of Columbus, Ohio, Mrs. Margaret Saunders of Yonkers, N.Y., Mrs. Sheliah Brown of Beckley, Mrs. Janette Anthony of Detroit, Mich.; sisters, Miss Mosie Dickerson of Tazewell, Mrs. Kleen Thompson of Tip Top, Va.; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren
Funeral will be at 2 p.m. at Wilbur United Methodist Church with the Rev. Robert I. Brown and the Rev. Neal Long officiating and burial at Maplewood Cemetery in Tazewell.
Friends may call Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home in Tazewell from 7 to 9 p.m. today and at the church one hour prior to services.
 

Charleston Gazette, Saturday 02/11/1989
William Reed Higginbotham Jr. (1926-1989) African American
William Reed Higginbotham Jr., 62, 302 Bluefield Ave., Rand, died Thursday, Feb. 9, 1989, in Memorial Division, CAMC, after a long illness.
He was a Army veteran of World War II. He was a former member of Ebenezer Baptist Church.
Surviving: sons, William Russell and Farris, of Charleston; daughter, Zemoria Yancy of Aurora, Colo.; sisters, Blanche Pollard of Yonkers, NY, Hellena Higginbotham of Columbus, Ohio, Lillian Cosby, Doris Foy and Phyllis Meadows, of Rand; six grandchildren.
Service will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Levi Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Charles Dillard officiating. Burial will be in Spring Hill Cemetery.
Friends may call from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday at the church. Preston Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Charleston Gazette, Tuesday 01/02/1990
Vernie Earl Beatrice Luck Higginbotham (1896-1990) African American
Mrs. Vernie Luck Higginbotham, 94, of Charleston, formerly of Beckley, died Jan. 1, 1990, at Thomas Memorial Hospital after a long illness.
Ritchie-Johnson Funeral Home, Beckley, is in charge of arrangements.
Beckley Register-Herald, Wednesday 01/03/1990
DUNBAR—Mrs. Vernie Luck Higginbotham, 95, formerly of Beckley, died Monday, jan. 1 at a Charleston hospital following a long illness.
Born Dec. 18, 1894 in Danville, Va., she was the daughter of the late Daniel and Amande Hogue Luck.
Mrs. Higginbotham was a retired teacher and housewife. She attended Virginia State College in Petersburg, Va., was a member of the New Hope Baptist Church in Beckley, was vice president emeritus of the Baptist Women’s Convention, was treasurer of the State Baptist Convention, member of the Minister’s Wives Counsel, member of the Rupert Jefferson Court of Calanthas No. 92, Ramadan Court No. 150 of Oak Hill, Electra Chapter No. 50 Order of the Eastern Star, Beckley Assembly No. 305 Order of the Golden Circle and a member of the Elks Auxiliary of Beckley.
Survivors include a daughter, Amanda H. Anderson of Dunbar; a sister, Elizabeth Purcell of Hampton, Va. And two grandchildren.
Services will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at the New Hope Baptist Church with the Revs. O. T. Moore and Warren Lewis officiating. Burial will be in the Greenwood Memorial Park in Beckley.
Friends may call today from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Ritchie and Johnson Funeral Home in Beckley.
Donations of sympathy may be made to the Hilltop Baptist Center, Hilltop.

Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Thursday 09/06/1990
Eva Saunders Higginbotham (1904-1990) African American
Bluefield - Mrs. Eva Higginbotham, 86, of Eastwood Care Center, Bluefield, died Wednesday at a Bluefield hospital.
Funeral arrangements were incomplete at Lugo Funeral Services in Bluefield.

Clinch Valley News, Wednesday 04/21/1993
Dr. Peyton Randolph Higginbotham (1902-1993) VA African-American
Peyton Randolph Higginbotham, 90, of Bluefield, WV, died April 16 at his home.
Born at Lynchburg, he was a son of the late James Leslie and Ada Virginia Wright Higginbotham.
He was educated in the public schools system of Lynchburg. In 1927, he moved to Bluefield and affiliated with and soon became a member of Scott Street Baptist Church. He was a member of the Helping Hand Circle, a member of the Trustee Board and served on various committees and in 1990 he was honored for his 50-plus years of membership and service. He was a retired Captain, Medical Corps, U. S. Army. He began part time serving Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital in 1956 and Bluefield State College as a physician and examiner for the Selective Service Local Board No. 2 of Mercer County. He also held medical privileges at St. Luke’s Hospital and Bluefield Regional Medical Center.
He has been honored and recognized by many local organizations and his church. In 1988, he was named Bluefield’s Citizen of the Year and also was awarded an honorary L.L.B. from Bluefield State College.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mariam Gwendolyn Hughes and one sister.
Survivors: daughter, Mrs. Donald (Lynn H.) Miller of Bluefield, VA; foster son, David L. Banks of Lynchburg; granddaughter, Rhoda M. Williams; and two great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be conducted today at 1 p.m. at the Scott Street Baptist Church of Bluefield, WV, with the Rev. Garry Moore Sr. officiating.
Burial will follow at the Monte Vista Park Cemetery on the Old Bluefield-Princeton Road.
Friends called at the church April 20 and may call at the…(sentence ends)
Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Saturday 04/17/1993
Prominent Doctor Dies
BLUEFIELD—Dr. Peyton Randolph Higginbotham, a prominent Bluefield physician and long time School Physician at Bluefield State College died in his home Friday. He was 90.
Born in Lynchburg in 1902, he was educated at Howard University in Washington, D.C. where he received his BS degree in 1923, and his M.D. in 1926. After completing his residency and internship at Freedman’s Hospital in Washington, he came to Bluefield in 1928 and joined the medical staff of the Providence Hospital, a Negro hospital located on Scott Street in the city. There, he joined in the private practice of medicine with Dr. C.A. Rogers and began his medical affiliation with Bluefield State.
Dr. Higginbotham served his community with distinction. During the segregation era, he was instrumental in establishing a “Well Baby Clinic” through the Carolina Community Home (now Bluefield Community Center) to help African American women with pre and pos-natal care.
In later years, he was appointed to the West Virginia State Health Department Board, where he eventually earned the office of president. He was also a past Chairman of the Board of the OH-9 Health Association.
Along with practicing medicine, he and his associates brought culture to the coal fields. After gaining a taste for jazz and big band music while in college, and becoming a close friend of Duke Ellington, Dr. Higginbotham brought most of the top jazz performers of the 1940’s and 50’s to Bluefield for performances. He and his associates subsidized the visits, then provided accommodations for the performers.
He was active in local, county and state medical associations and held membership in the National Medical Association and the American Medical Association. In 1988, he was named Bluefield’s Citizen of the Year, and he was also awarded an honorary L.L.B. from Bluefield State College. He was a member of Scott Street Baptist Church, and had held medical privileges at St. Luke’s Hospital, and Bluefield Regional Medical Center.
He was preceded in death by his wife Gwynne, and is survived by a daughter, Lynn Berlaine Miller of Bluefield and David L. Banks of Lynchburg. Richardson Funeral Home in Keystone is in charge of arrangements.
Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Tuesday 04/20/1993
Peyton Randolph Higginbotham
BLUEFIELD—Peyton Randolph Higginbotham, 90, of Bluefield, died Friday at his home.
Born at Lynchburg, Va., he was a son of the late James Leslie and Ada Virginia Wright Higginbotham. He was educated in the public schools system of Lynchburg. In 1927, he moved to Bluefield and affiliated with and soon became a member of Scott Street Baptist Church. He was a member of the Helping Hand Circle, a member of the Trustee Board and served on various committees and in 1990 he was honored for his 50-plus years of membership and service.
Over a 66-year span he was busy in many professional responsibilities including instructor in Anatomy and Physiology at the Nurses Training School at Lomax Hospital in Bluefield, member of the West Virginia State Board of Health and was a retired Captain, Medical Corps, U.S. Army. He began part time serving Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital in 1956 and Bluefield State Hospital as a physician and examiner for the Selective Service Local Board No. 2 of Mercer County. He also held medical privileges at St. Luke’s Hospital and Bluefield Regional Medical Center.
He has been honored and recognized by many local organizations and his church. In 1988, he was named Bluefield’s Citizen of the Year and also was a warded and honorary L.L.B. from Bluefield State College. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mariam Gwendolyn Hughes; and one sister.
Survivors: daughter, Mrs. Donald (Lynn H.) Miller of Bluefield, Va.; foster son, David L. Banks of Lynchburg; granddaughter, Rhoda M. Williams; and two great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Scott Street Baptist Church of Bluefield with the Rev. Garry Moore Sr. officiating. Burial will be at the Monte Vista Park Cemetery on the old Bluefield-Princeton Road.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the church and one hour prior to service.
Richardson Funeral Home of Keystone is in charge of arrangements.
 
 

Charleston Gazette, Saturday 04/16/1994
Kinkle Allen Higginbotham (1906-1994) African American
Kinkle Allen Higginbotham, 88, of Rand died April 15, 1995, at Montgomery General Elder Care Center after a long illness.
He was a lifelong resident of Rand, a retired building construction worker with 40 years service and a former coal miner and chemical plant worker. He was a member of West Virginia Laborers Union and Levi Missionary Baptist Church, Rand.
Surviving: daughter, Vernall Megginson of Rand; sisters, Bess Taylor of Charleston, Vivian R. Minor of Rand, Catherine Patterson of Bluefield; brother, Woodrow T. Higginbotham of Washington; three grandchildren; one great-grandchild.
Scott Funeral home is in charge of arrangements.

Moundsville Daily Echo, Saturday 10/15/1994
Sandra Kay Donaldson Higginbotham (1954-1994) WV African-American
Sandra Kay Higginbotham, 39, of Dorsey Street, formerly of Bellaiere, died Friday in Reynolds Memorial Hospital, Glendale. She was a member of the Bethel AME Church, Moundsville.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Price and Ida May Donaldson.
Surviving are her husband, Roy A. Jr.; two sons, Roy A. III at home and Nathanel Harriston of Bethany; a brother, Carl Donaldson of Boston; two sisters, Evonne Smith of Dayton and Sharon Morris of Moundsville; her paternal grandmother, Lucy Mae Dow of Whipple, WV; several aunts and uncles; several nieces and nephews.
Friends received 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. today and 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Sunday at Grisell Funeral Home, where funeral services will be held Monday at 1 p.m.

Charleston Gazette, Monday 03/13/1995
Woodrow Thomas Higginbotham (1919-1995) African American
Washington - Woodrow Thomas Higginbotham, 75, of Washington, formerly of Rand, WV, died Feb. 22, 1995, at St. Mary's Hospital, Washington, after a long illness.
He was a retired brick mason, a former member of Levi First Missionary Baptist Church of Rand and an Army veteran of World War II.
Surviving: sisters, Vivian R. Minor of Rand, Bess Taylor of Charleston, WV, Catherine Patterson of Bluefield, WV.
Service was Feb. 28, 1995, at a Maryland veterans cemetery. Information was provided by Scott Funeral Home, Charleston.

Charleston Gazette 05/30/1997
Arnor Stella Higginbotham (1909-1997) African American
Arnor Higginbotham, 88, of Charleston died May 28, 1997, in St. Francis Hospital after a long illness.
She was a lifelong resident of Charleston, attended Kanawha County schools, and was a member of Levi First Baptist Church, Rand.
Surviving: sisters, Rosa L. Booker, Lillie Ellis, and Mamie Gilbert, all of Rand, Mollie Straughter of Inglewood, Calif.; several nieces and nephews.
Service will be noon Saturday at Preston Funeral Home with the Rev. Ben Merchant officiating. Burial will be in Spring Hill Cemetery. Friends may call one hour prior to service at the funeral home.

Charleston Gazette 09/1997
Doris Madalin Higginbotham Foy (1921-1997) (African American)
Doris HIGGINBOTHAM Foy, 76, of Rand died Sept. 28, 1997, in St. Francis Hospital, Charleston, after a long illness.
She was a member of Levi First Missionary Baptist Church, Rand, a retiree of the Charleston Street Department with 10 years' service, and a graduate of Garnet High School and West Virginia State College Barbering School.
Surviving: sisters, Phyllis Meadows, Lillian Cosby and Hellena Higginbotham, all of Rand, Blanche Pollard of Yonkers, N.Y.
Service will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Levi First Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Ben Merchant officiating. Entombment will be in Sunset Memorial Park, South Charleston. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the church. Scott Funeral Home, Charleston, is in charge of arrangements.

Charleston Daily Mail, Friday 03/20/1998
Lillian Higginbotham Cosby (ca 1919-1998) African American
Lillian Higginbotham Cosby, 79, of Rand died March 14, 1998, at home after a long illness.
She was a member of Levi First Missionary Baptist Church, a graduate of Garnet High School and a member of Charleston Chapter NAACP and Henry Highland Garnett Foundation.
Surviving: sons, Carl Cosby Jr. of Atlanta, William Benjamin and Higginbotham Cosby, both of Rand; daughters, Joan Lain and Mable Jones, both of Rand, Margo Perkins of Charleston; sisters, Phyllis Meadows and Hellena Higginbotham, both of Rand, Blanche Pollard of Yonkers, N.Y.; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren.
Service will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Levi First Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Ben Merchant officiating. Burial will be in Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens, Cross Lanes. Friends may call from 7 to 8:30 p.m. today at the church. Scott Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Charleston Gazette, 04/1998
Thelma Mae Johnson Higginbotham Vernon (1924-1998) African American
Thelma Mae Higginbotham Vernon, 73, of Rand died April 20, 1998, at home after a short illness.
She was a storekeeper and an employee of C&P Telephone Co. with 33 years' service. She was a member of Levi First Missionary Baptist Church, Rand.
Surviving: sons, Clarence Junior Higginbotham of Forestville, Md., Frederick W. Higginbotham of Rand, Wallace J. Higginbotham of Palmer Park, Md.; daughters, Rosemary Williams of Forestville, Vondaleera Artis of Fort Washington, Md., Gail Kendrick of Cleveland; mother, Pearl Mills Johnson of Charleston.
Service will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Levi First Missionary Baptist Church, Rand, with the Rev. Benjamin Merchant officiating. Burial will be in Floral Hills Garden of Memories, Pocatalico. Friends may call one hour prior to service at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Levi First Missionary Baptist Church, Rand. Scott Funeral Home, Charleston, is in charge of arrangements.

Charleston Gazette and Charleston Daily Mail, Saturday 12/19/1998.
Farris T. Higginbotham (1953-1998) African American
Farris T. Higginbotham, 45, of Charleston died Dec.18, 1998, in St. Francis Hospital after a short illness.
He was a radio dispatcher for the state of West Virginia and a member of the Charleston South Congregation Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Surviving: wife, Josefina Higginbotham; daughters, Anitra Higginbotham; son, Michael Fitzgerald of Charleston; sister, Zemoria Yancy of Denver; brother, William R. Higginbotham of Rand; three grandchildren.
Powell-Jarrett Funeral Home, Charleston, is in charge of arrangements.

Charleston Gazette-Mail, Sunday 12/27/1998
Vivian Rebecca Higginbotham Minor (1914-1998) African American
Vivian Rebecca Higginbotham Minor, 84, of Rand died Dec. 23, 1998, in General Division, CAMC, after a long illness.
She attended Rand Grade School, Boyd Junior High School, and was a graduate of Garnet High School. She was a member of Levi First Missionary Baptist Church, Rand, where she was a member of the Senior Choir and Mass Choir, the Pastoral Club for over 40 years, Willing Workers and was the second vice president of the mission.
Surviving: sons, James L. Minor of Detroit, Charles H. Minor and Kennedy F. Minor, both of Forestville, MD, Kalvin T. Minor of Toledo, OH; daughters, Hortense E. Groom of Charleston, Shirley V. Jarrett of Washington, DC, Marva L. Tinsley of Detroit, Patricia A. Cardwell and Vanessa D. Singleton, both of Rand; sisters, Betsy Taylor of Charleston, Catherine Patterson of Bluefield; 21 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; 8 great-great-grandchildren.
Service will be 1 p.m. Monday at Levi First Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Benjamin Merchant officiating. Burial will be in Spring Hill Cemetery, Charleston. Friends may call one hour prior to the service Monday at the church. Scott Funeral Home, Charleston, is in charge of arrangements.

Columbus Dispatch 01/15/1999
Lucille Pleasants Higginbotham (1902-1999) VA/OH African American
HIGGINBOTHAM Lucille Higginbotham, age 96, January 7, 1999 at Isabelle Ridgeway Nursing Home. A member of St. Philip Episcopal Church. Preceded in death by her husband Ulysses R. Higginbotham Sr. Survived by her son, Ulysses R. Higginbotham Jr.; daughter, Ellen M. Higginbotham; grandchildren, Douglas (Thoyia), Darryl (Cynthia) and Gerlinde Higginbotham; many other relatives and friends. Memorial Service 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Philip Episcopal Church, 166 Woodland Ave. Fr. Kwasi Thornell, Officiant. Arrangements by C.D. WHITE & SON FUNERAL HOME.

Charleston Gazette, Friday 10/15/1999
Frank Gordon Higginbotham Jr. (1931-1999) WV African-American
Frank G. Higginbotham, 68, of Charleston died Oct. 11, 1999, in Huntington.
He was retired from the Navy with 27 years' service. He was a member of Liberty Baptist Church, the church's deacon board and its senior choir. He was a former employee of Sears and the Social Security Administration.
Surviving: wife, Trinidad Higginbotham; daughters, Evonne of Charleston, Carolyn of Richmond, Va.; son, Frank III of Charlotte, N.C.; three grandchildren.
Service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Liberty Baptist Church with the Rev. Allen Hill officiating. Burial will be in Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens, Cross Lanes. Friends may call one hour prior to service at the church. Preston Funeral Home, Charleston, is in charge of arrangements.

Charleston Daily Mail, Tuesday 10/19/1999
Pearl M. Johnson (ca1906-1999) WV African-American
Pearl M. Johnson, 93, of Charleston died Wednesday Oct. 13, 1999, in Beverly Health Care Center, Glasgow, after a long illness.
She was a homemaker and a member of Metropolitan Baptist Church, Charleston, and Eastern Star.
Surviving: granddaughters, Rosemary Williams of Forestville, Md., Vondaleera Artis of Fort Washington, Md., Gail Kendricks, Judy Mills and Ivy Mills of Charleston; grandsons, Clarence Higginbotham of Forestville, Md., William Mills of Charleston, Wallace Higginbotham of Palmer Park, Md.; nine great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren.
Service will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Levi Baptist Church, Rand, with the Rev. Ben Merchant officiating. Burial will be in Floral Hills Garden of Memories, Sissonville.
Friends may call one hour prior to service at the church. Powell-Jarrett Funeral Home, Charleston is in charge of arrangements.

Charleston Gazette, Wednesday 07/03/2002
Clarence J. "Higgy" Higginbotham (1942-2002) WV/DC African-American
WASHINGTON - Clarence J. "Higgy" Higginbotham, formerly of Rand, W.Va., died June 28, 2002.
He is survived by two brothers, Frederick and Wallace; two sisters, Rosemary and Vonda; one aunt; five stepchildren; eight grandchildren; a devoted friend; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Service will be 11 a.m. Friday, July 5, at First Baptist Church of Marshall Heights, 50th and B Streets SE, Washington, D.C. Interment will be in Harmony Memorial Park. Friends may call one hour prior to service at the church.
Rollins Funeral Home, Washington, D.C., is in charge of arrangements.
 
 

Charleston Gazette Monday 08/19/2002

Frederick William Higginbotham (1944-2002) WV African American
Frederick W. "Freddy" Higginbotham of Rand died Aug. 14, 2002, at his home.
The son of the late Clarence and Thelma Higginbotham of Rand, he was also preceded in death by his brother,
Clarence J. Higginbotham Jr.; his son, Frederick W. Higginbotham Jr.; and his grandmother, Pearl Johnson.
Frederick was a graduate of Dupont High School and a member of Levi First Missionary Baptist Church, Rand.
He was a for Kanawha Valley Regional Transit Authority.
Frederick Higginbotham is survived by his daughter, Chyna J. Higginbotham of Atlanta, Ga.; his brother, Wallace Higginbotham of Landover, Md.; his sisters, Rosemary Williams of Forestville, Md., Vondaleera Artis of Landover, Md; one aunt, Catherine Patterson of Bluefield.
Service will be noon Tuesday, Aug. 20, at Levi First Missionary Baptist Church, 5125 Church Drive, Rand.
Friends may call one hour prior to service at the church.
E-mail letters of condolence may be sent to DCKRS4@Ntelos.com.
The care and services for Mr. Higginbotham have been entrusted to J.E. Scott Memorial Funeral Home, Charleston.
 

Charleston Gazette, Sunday 04/06/2003

Rosa Lee Higginbotham Booker (1904-2003) WV African-American
RAND - Rosa L. Booker, 98, of Rand went home to meet the Lord, April 4, 2003, at Sunbridge Care Nursing Home in Dunbar, W.Va.
She was born July 17, 1904, at Prudence, W.Va. She was the daughter of the late James and Laura Higginbotham. Rosa was preceded in death by her husband, Robert L. Booker; and one daughter, Lou Anna Jones.
Rosa was the oldest member of the Levi First Missionary Baptist Church and a loving devoted mother and grandmother.
Left to cherish her memory are daughters, Lorene Craig of Rand, Antionette Hairston of Gary, Ind., Bonnie Wilson and Romona Collier of Chicago, Ill., Kay Wesley of Dunbar, W.Va.; sons, Robert L. Booker and Emmett Booker of Rand, Samuel Booker of Rochester, N.Y., John Henry Booker of Parkersburg, W.Va.; sisters, Mamie Gilbert of Rand and Mollie Straughter of Inglewood, Calif.; 21 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren.
Service will be noon Tuesday, April 8, at Levi Missionary Baptist Church, Rand with the Rev. Ben Merchant officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park, in South Charleston.
Friends may call one hour prior to the service at the church.
Preston Funeral Home, Charleston, will be in charge of all arrangements

 
Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2003
George Alexander Higginbotham (1935-2003) VA African American
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - George Alexander Higginbotham, 68, of Newport News, formerly of Tazewell, Va., died Sunday, Nov. 16, 2003 at his home in Newport News.
Born May 24, 1935, in Tazewell, he was a son of the late James A. and Ruth Elizabeth Dickerson Higginbotham. He was a United States Army veteran of World War II.
Survivors include one son, George Alexander Higginbotham III of New York, N.Y.; one stepson, Miquel Ramos and wife, Chiquita of Suffolk, Va.; one brother, James A. Higginbotham and wife, Mallie of Tazewell; five sisters, Mary Anderson of Columbus, Ohio, Ruth McCoy and husband, James of Tazewell, Margaret Saunders of Yonkers, N.Y., Sheilah Brown and husband, Rev. Robert Brown of Beckley, and Jeanette Bryant and husband, Earl of Detroit, Mich.; two step-grandchildren, Miquel Ramos Jr. and Marcus Ramos; four nephews, David Saunders, Christopher Brown, Robert Brown, and Lee Andre Anthony; and two nieces, Michelle Saunders and Angie Boyd.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with the Rev. Robert I. Brown, the Rev. Robert Buckles and Dr. Carolyn Browning officiating. Burial will follow at Maplewood Cemetery in Tazewell. Pallbearers will be David Saunders, David Saunders Jr., Ronnie Thompson, Freddy Thompson, Tommy Thompson, Earl Bryant, Lee Andre Anthony, Christopher Brown, and Robert Brown.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home after noon on Friday.
 

Publication: THE CHARLESTON GAZETTE
Published: 01/09/2006
Page: 5D

Mamie W. Higginbotham Gilbert (1911-2006) WV African-American
Mamie W. Gilbert, 94, of Rand, died Jan. 5, 2006, at the Oak Ridge Center after a short illness.
She was the daughter of the late John and Laura Higginbotham. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Percy C. Gilbert.
Mamie was a member of Levi Baptist Church of Rand.
She is survived by her daughter, Mamie Manchion of Rand; sister, Mollie Straughter of Inglewood, Calif.; two grandchildren, Brandon and Marcus of Rand; and a host of nieces and nephews.
At Mamie's request, a graveside service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 10, at Sunset Memorial Park in South Charleston.
The family will receive friends from 12:30 to 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the Preston Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that all contributions be made to the Hubbard House Hospice, 1001 Kennawa, Charleston, WV.
 

Bluefield Daily Telegraph 02/17/2006
George William “Billy” Higginbotham (1951-2006) WV African-American
BLUEFIELD — George “Billy” Higginbotham, 54, of Bluefield was born Aug. 11, 1951, departed this life Feb. 10, 2006. He was the son of the late Raymond Higginbotham Sr. and Edna Coates Higginbotham.
Billy was the youngest of three sons. Billy attended Mercer County Schools and was a graduate of Beaver High School. He was known for his meekness. Always quiet spoken, with a warm heart and kind words.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Raymond Higginbotham Jr.
He leaves to cherish his memory: Nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.
Memorial services will be conducted today at 2 p.m. from the G.H. Sinkford Memorial Chapel of the Richardson Funeral Home in Bluefield with the Rev. Courtney S. Wallace officiating.
Friends may call one hour prior to services.
'Say not in grief 'he is no more' but live in thankfulness that he was'

Charleston Gazette 08/09/2013

Catherine Isabelle Higginbotham Patterson (1925-2013) WV African-American

Catherine Patterson was the youngest of 12 children born to the union of the late Charles and Mary Higginbothan. She was born in Prudence on January 12, 1925. Her early years were spent in Rand, where the family had then settled. She attended public school in Charleston as well as in Rand. While living in Bluefield, Catherine was employed as a domestic worker for a prominent physician there. She also worked in the culinary department at Bluefield State College. Catherine met and married Hobert Patterson, who was also employed at Bluefield State College. He also was a military veteran. She lived happily among friends on Cline Street in Bluefield. In addition to Hobert's passing in July 1996, Catherine also lost a daughter in infancy. She was preceded in death by a host of nieces, nephews, grand- as well as great-grand-nieces and -nephews; her sisters, Vivian Minor, Della Jones, Ruby Sales and Bess Taylor; and her brothers, Patrick, Woodrow, Clarence, Roy, Charles, Kindle and Dennis. Funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, August 10, at A.P. McConnell, LLC Funeral Home, 260 Cherry St., Bluefield.

Charleston Gazette 03/13/2015

Roy Arbra Higginbotham Jr. (1952-2015) WV African-American

Roy Arbra Higginbotham Jr., 62, of Wheeling, WV, passed away Sunday, March 8, 2015. He was born in Charleston, WV, on March 15, 1952 to Alice Mildred Graham Higginbotham and the late Roy Arbra Higginbotham. Roy attended DuPont High School in Belle, WV, served in the U.S. Marine Corps and worked for several years as a truck driver for J.B. Hunt. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sandra Donaldson Higginbotham, and brother, Dennis Franklin Higginbotham. Roy is survived by his son, Roy Arbra Higginbotham III; mother, Alice Mildred Graham Higginbotham; sister, Wilma Higginbotham Davis, all of Charleston, WV; brother, Patrick Andre Higginbotham of Poca, WV; along with four grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 14, 2015 at First Baptist Church, 1911 Fourth St., Moundsville, WV. Burial will follow at the Donel C. Kinnard Memorial State Veterans Cemetery, Institute, WV.

Charleston Gazette 04/12/2015

Zemoria Octavia Higginbotham Yancey (1956-2015) WV African American

Zemoria Octavia Yancey, 58, passed away April 5, 2015 in Charleston. Zemoria was born December 4, 1956 in Charleston. She is survived by a daughter, Deossie; a son, Arland Jr.; and seven grandchildren. Funeral services will be held in Denver, Colo. Arrangements pending.

Gazette-Mail 09/29/2016

Edna Louise Wood Higginbotham ( 1933-2016) WV African American

Edna Wood Higginbotham received her Heavenly Wings on Friday, September 23, 2016 after a long illness at her home. Edna was born on February 28, 1933 to the late Lloyd Wood and Etta Murrell Wood Tyree. She was preceded in death by her father Lloyd Wood, mother Etta Murrell Wood Tyree, and her brother Harold T. Wood. Edna graduated from Garnett High School. She was married to the late Frank G. Higginbotham II. Edna {Mrs. H, Captain, Mama E, Mawmaw, and Madam General} as she was fondly called. She was a dedicated member of The Liberty Missionary Baptist Church, where she supported the church as a Sunday School Teacher, a member of the Board of Trustees and, up until her illness, she served as Head of The Board of Trustees. Edna's faith in God and her love for her church was unquestionable, she loved gospel music and her favorite song was "WAR." It was such a pleasure to watch her praising the Lord, by rocking and clapping her hands. She had a rock and a clap of her very own. Edna was employed in the Job Corps System for 40 years. She started at the Charleston Job Corps Center as a Residential Advisor, furthering her career to the Director of Group Life, the Director of Group Life at the Kittrell Job Corps Center in Kittrell, NC, the Deputy Director and Center Director at the Carl D. Perkins Job Corps Center in Prestonsburg, KY, and served as the Center Director at the Oconaluftee Federal Job Corps Center in Cherokee, NC until 2005 before retiring and returning to Charleston, West Virginia. In 1993, Edna was installed as a Kentucky Colonel. She was awarded the key to the city of Prestonsburg, Kentucky, for her service to the community. In 2005 the Tribal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Cherokee, North Carolina, proclaimed and bestowed a day as "The Edna Higginbotham Day," and on returning to Charleston she was inducted into the Garnett High School Hall of Fame. Edna leaves to cherish her loving memories, son Frank G. Higginbotham III (Debbie) of Charlotte, NC, daughter Carolyn R. Higginbotham of Charleston, WV, brothers Joseph M. Tyree (Karen) of Scott Depot, WV, Thomas W. Tyree (Qulonia) of Charlotte, NC, grandsons Dorin L. Higginbotham of Charlotte, NC, Frank G. Higginbotham IV of Charleston, SC, nephews Jeffrey James (Annette) of Bowie, MD, Harold T. Wood of Newark, NJ, Joseph Tyree of Pensacola, FL, nieces Toshica Tyree of Charlotte, NC, Etta Miller of Fairmont, WV, special sisters Mona Sue Charlton and Deloris Harris, both of Charleston, WV, special nieces Zena Harris and Pamela Jessup, both of Charleston, WV, and a very special friend and caregiver Sharon Campbell of Charleston, WV, a host of great nephews, great nieces, cousins, family, friends, and her ever loving special Shih-Tzu companion Chance. Funeral service will be held at noon Saturday, October 1, at Liberty Baptist Church, 1343 Lewis St., Charleston, WV, with visitation beginning one hour prior. Arrangements entrusted to Preston Funeral Home, Charleston.

2/10/2019

Mildred Alice Graham Higginbotham (1930-2019) WV African-American

October 9, 1930 ~ February 7, 2019 (age 88)

Mildred Alice Higginbotham, 88, of Rand, West Virginia, departed this life, Thursday, February 7, 2019, at Hubbard Hospice House. She was born October 9, 1930 at Long Branch, West Virginia, to late parents  Mark and Arlein Graham. Mildred was preceded in death by her  husband, Roy Arbra Higginbotham Sr., sons, Dennis Franklin Higginbotham, Roy Arbra Higginbotham Jr., brothers, Kermit Graham and  Donald Graham. Mildred is also survived by her son, Patrick Andre Higginbotham, daughter, Wilma Davis,  brothers, Edward Graham of New Jersey, Cleophus Graham (Lou), Russel (Jackie) both of  Cleveland, OH, sisters, Shirley Roger of Charleston, Artelia Reed of Utica, New York, Maxine Mann of New Jersey, Arthia Lewis of Cleveland, OH, five grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

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