Edna Marie Higginbotham

Edna Marie Higginbotham, of Elkhart, Texas, went home to be with her loving Lord and Savior on Thursday, the 19th day of June 2025, surrounded by the warmth of her family in the home that she loved, that her and her husband built together. She was 89 years of age when the Lord called her home. Mrs. Higginbotham was born in Houston, Texas on the 10th day of April 1936 to parents John Jefferson Pierce and Effie Katherine Eddins Pierce.
Throughout her life, Mrs. Higginbotham embraced the roles of homemaker, beautician, and seamstress with grace and excellence. Her hands, always busy, worked not only to provide for her family but also to create beauty in the world around her.
A devout Christian, Mrs. Higginbotham's faith was the base of her existence. She was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ and recently became a member of Court Drive Church of Christ, after previously attending Palestine Church of Christ. Her love for the Lord was evident in every aspect of her life, from her kind words to her generous actions.
In addition to her religious commitments, Mrs. Higginbotham was an active participant in the TOPS #698 in Palestine for 39 years and achieved KOPS status and maintained it for 34 years. Mrs. Higginbotham lived her life as a role model for others by serving others. She used to sew blankets for children while they were inpatients at Palestine Regional Medical Center. She enlisted her TOPS club to help, and friends from church. They called it "From the TOPS of our hearts".
Mrs. Higginbotham loved the Lord and her family. She prayed daily for her kids and the entire family. Her final years were joyfully spent at Windermere at Cartmell, an assisted living facility, where she was not just a resident but a beloved friend. The love she had for the residents and staff was a reflection of the love they had for her. Mrs. Higginbotham's journey on Earth may have ended, but her spirit lives on, as vibrant and nurturing as ever.
Left to cherish the memories are Mrs. Higginbotham's daughters, Vivian Nichols and husband Gary, Linda May and husband Charles; son, Robert Higginbotham and wife Charla; son-in-law, Dwayne Hagemeier; sister, Fay Kersh; brothers, John Pierce, Paul Pierce, Lewis Pierce, and Michael Pierce. She is also survived by twelve grandchildren; twenty-nine great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.
Mrs. Higginbotham is preceded in death by her parents John and Effie Pierce; husband, Maurice Edwin Higginbotham; daughter, Deborah Hagemeier; and her sister, Mary Ann Reed.
Funeral services to celebrate Edna Higginbotham going home are to commence at two o'clock in the afternoon on Tuesday, the 24th day of June 2025 in the Rhone Memorial Chapel with Dwayne Hagemeier officiating the service. Interment will follow in Cedar Creek Cemetery.
Friends are invited to visit with the family and share memories one hour prior to the start of the service at Rhone Funeral Home.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Jared Nichols, Seth Nichols, Jeffery Hagemeier, Michael Hagemeier, Joseph Higginbotham, and Jason May. Honorary pallbearers include Jeremy May and Matthew Ray.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Windermere at Cartmell for all the love and kindness that was shown to Edna.
Funeral services for Edna Marie Higginbotham are in care of Rhone Funeral Home, 3900 S. State Highway 19, Palestine, Texas.
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