Joseph Carter Higginbotham, Sr.

Mr. Joseph Carter “Joe” Higginbotham, Sr. died peacefully on Monday, December 5, 2016, in the comfort of his home at the family farm on which he was born. He was 88.

Born on July 12, 1928, to Edgar Glenn “E.G’, Sr. and Lizzie Mae Rhodes Higginbotham, Mr. Higginbotham was a lifetime resident of the Flatwoods Community in Elberton. He was a US Navy Veteran having served aboard the Battleship USS Wisconsin BB-64 during WWII and a US Navy Reserves Veteran having served during the Korean Conflict. He worked at Milliken for over twenty years. “Mr. Joe” began working for the US Army Corp of Engineers at Hartwell Lake and Dam in 1978 and retired in 2007 after twenty nine years of service. Mr. Higginbotham was a member of Eliam United Methodist Church and a longtime member of Philomathea Masonic Lodge #25 where he was a York Rite and Scottish Rite mason and shriner. He enjoyed spending time with his family, farming, and was always up for a good conversation!

He is survived by his children: Judy Albertson Gaines and her husband Richard of Elberton, Bobbie Fortson and her husband Ron of Hartwell, and Joseph C. Higginbotham, Jr. and his significant other Cathy Gibson of Elberton; grandchildren: Jason Albertson, Scott and Joann Albertson, Angie and Brandon Dye, Carter Higginbotham, Grayson Higginbotham, and Shannon Higginbotham, who was raised in the home; six great-grandchildren: Kaytlyn Higginbotham, Austin Albertson, Breanna Higginbotham, Emily Higginbotham, Averie Dye, and Kip Albertson; nephew raised in the home, E.G. Higginbothm, III; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Frankie Poore Higginbotham; grandchildren: Bridgette Saxon Davis and Casey Higginbotham; and brothers: E.G. Higginbotham, Jr., Stanley Higginbotham, and Marshall Higginbotham.

Funeral services celebrating his life will be held on Thursday, December 8, at 2 o’clock in the Memorial Chapel of Berry Funeral Home with the Revs. J. Wesley Privett and Scott Mize officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memorial Park with masonic rites provided by Philomathea Masonic Lodge #25.

The family is at their respective homes and will receive friends at Berry Funeral Home from 6:00-8:00p.m. on Wednesday evening.

Flowers are accepted; contributions may be made in his memory to Eliam United Methodist Church, 2130 Dr. George Ward Road, Elberton, GA 30635 or to Bethel E Baptist Church, 2576 Calhoun Falls Highway, Elberton, GA 30635.

Those wishing may sign the online guestbook at www.berryfh.com.

Berry Funeral Home & Crematory of Elberton is respectfully in charge of arrangements for Mr. Joseph Carter “Joe” Higginbotham, Sr.