Gary Higginbotham

1943 - 2025

Mrs. Gary Lois Higginbotham, 81, passed away on Monday, November 17 in Starkville, Mississippi at the home of her daughter, Haley Montgomery. A funeral service is planned for Sunday, November 23, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Cockrell Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in Salem Cemetery near Macon. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Salem Cemetery, c/o of Ethan Ewing, 21 Elkin Ct., Macon, MS 39341. Cockrell Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with arrangements.

Mrs. Higginbotham was born on December 25, 1943 in Morton, Mississippi. She graduated from Macon High School and attended East Mississippi Community College before enrolling at Mississippi State University. While attending MSU, she earned a Bachelor's degree in Education with an emphasis in elementary grades. She was married for 59 years to Travis Higginbotham of Macon, Mississippi who passed away in 2023. Gary Lois worked as an elementary school teacher for more than 25 years in the Noxubee County School District and West Point School District. After retirement from public school, she worked as an Administrative Assistant at Central Academy and BankFirst in Macon.

Mrs. Higginbotham was a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma organization for professional educators and a lifelong church member, most recently of First Baptist Church in Macon. In her life as a public school teacher, she primarily taught 3rd grade students and served as a mentor and supervising teacher for numerous student teachers entering the profession. She took much pride in working with young children, teaching them based on their individual needs, and making their school experience fun and memorable.


Mrs. Higginbotham found great joy in serving her family and helping people feel special. She was the primary caregiver for her mother for many years as well as her husband after he experienced a debilitating stroke. In addition, she enjoyed traveling to Starkville to visit her three grandchildren and support their school activities. She worked alongside Mr. Higginbotham to renovate the home place of her parents and enjoyed serving and welcoming people to her home, particularly at Christmas.

Mrs. Higginbotham was preceded in death by her husband, Travis Higginbotham, parents, Elisha Neel Clark and Lillian Jewel (James) Clark of Macon, MS, her sister, Betty Edith Clark of Macon, MS, and her son-in-law, Mike Montgomery of Starkville, MS.

Mrs. Higginbotham is survived by her daughter Haley (Higginbotham) Montgomery of Starkville, Mississippi, and three grandchildren, Travis, Elisha and Maggie.