Barbara Ann Higginbotham

With deep reverence and thanksgiving for her rich legacy of faith and family, we share that Barbara Ann Higginbotham passed from this life to her eternal home on December 20, 2024.  A memorial service for Barbara has been postponed and will be rescheduled for a later date at High Lawn Memorial Park, in Oak Hill, West Virginia. (Burial to follow) The family will receive friends prior to the service at 1:00PM. Rev. Reed Wilbanks will officiate.  Barbara was born on January 23, 1939, the first of five children to Sylvester and Oma Malay in Sewell, West Virginia. Surviving her are her siblings, William Malay, Bonnie Boisvert, Beverly Lindemuth, and Tony Malay.  Barbara married Jackie Keith Higginbotham (Jack) on June 23, 1960, in Wilmington, Delaware. They were happily married 63 years prior to Jack’s death on September 2, 2023. He always called her “Sweets” because she was absolutely the love of his life. He was the first boy she ever kissed, and in the end, the very last. They lived in Ansted, West Virginia for many years, then moved to Rock Hill, South Carolina and made it home for their large family. Their devoted children included Marilyn Hypes (David), Kimberly Dawn Buchanan (Tony), Jeffrey Higginbotham (Kathleen), Lisa Bowman, and Lora Holladay (Jack).  Known to most as Papa Bud and Granny, the two had fourteen grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren. They adopted many more through the years, creating a welcoming home where there was always a warm hug and a home-cooked meal waiting. Barbara’s gift of hospitality will long be remembered, and her most happy times included gathering as many as she could around her table.  Barbara spent most of her career working as an Activity Therapist in different long-term care facilities in West Virginia and South Carolina. Her last post before she retired was at the Rock Hill Adult Day Care facility, now the Adult Enrichment Centers. Her desire to help others was an inspiration to all that knew her. She was an advocate for those who needed their voices heard, and always fought to make sure they were treated fairly.  “And the King shall say answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Matt. 25:40  Barbara is preceded in death by her husband Jack Higginbotham, her daughters Marilyn Hypes, and Lisa Bowman, her grandson Travis Holcomb, and her son-in-law Jack Holladay.  The family would like to thank all of her caregivers and friends who have supported and encouraged her during the past year as her health declined.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Adult Enrichment Centers, P.O. Box 2444 Rock Hill, SC 29732 or www.adultenrichmentcenters.org