Jimmie Higginbotham

February 5, 2013

Jimmie Higginbotham, 82, Fort Scott, passed away Monday, Feb. 4, 2013, at Mercy Hospital.
Jimmie was born Feb. 26, 1930, at Iola, the son of Floyd B. and Myrtle (Adams) Higginbotham. He grew up in the Carlyle area and graduated from Iola High School in 1948. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1948 until 1951, including 27 months in Guam.
On Nov. 21, 1952, Jimmie married Bonnie Jean Thornbrugh at his parent’s home in rural Iola. They made their home in Iola until 1953 when they moved to Paola for three years and returned to Iola. They lived in Plainfield, Ill., Anderson, Ind., Decatur, Ill. and Mason City, Iowa, before settling in Fort Scott. He worked as a terminal manager for Mitchell Transport Co. from 1964 until 1983. He retired from Gates Rubber Company in Iola. Bonnie preceded him in death April 9, 2006.
He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and VFW. Jimmie enjoyed woodworking, crocheting, making Christmas candy, gardening and farming.
Survivors include special friend and caregiver, Margie Albright of Fort Scott; two children, Ronnie Higginbotham and wife, Debbie, Iola, and Rhonda Smith and husband, Rodney, Parsons; two brothers, Jack Higginbotham of Mankato, Minn. and Tom Higginbotham of Iola; four grandchildren, Melisa Aikins and husband, Grant Chanute, John Higginbotham and wife, Jenna, Ottawa, Cindy Smith and husband, Jimmy Coffield, Iola, and Nick Smith and wife, Tiffany, Independence; five great-grandchildre, Dylan and Dalton Coffield, Ollie and Kadence Byrd, and Eliana Higginbotham.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Sharon Buss.
Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, at Waugh-Yokum and Friskel Chapel in Iola. Services are at 2 p.m., Thursday, also at the chapel.
Burial is in Mount Hope Cemetery, Humboldt.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society and left with Waugh-Yokum and Friskel Memorial Chapel, which is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences for the family are at www.iolafuneral.com.