Melba Ruth Higginbotham, age 85, entered her heavenly home in the loving arms of God on Thursday, June 22, 2017.
She arrived on her mother's birthday. What a joyful celebration must have taken place! Ruth was born in Biloxi to Nelson and Edna (Delcambre) Higginbotham on February 25, 1932. She was a lifelong resident of Biloxi and a member of Blessed Francis Seelos (St. John) Catholic Church. In 1949, she graduated from Biloxi High School, where she participated in various clubs and was a member of the band. Ruth graduated from Charity Hospital of Nursing in New Orleans, LA. After receiving her nursing degree, she dedicated 37 years of her professional life to the Veterans Administration Hospital. Because of her strong will to lead and her desire to serve, she was placed in a management position as a head nurse. She served her church as a lector and Eucharistic Minister for numerous years. Ruth was a C.Y.O. sponsor for St. John Catholic Church and led the youth of the Biloxi Diocese for 25 years to the mission of Saltillo, Mexico to serve the poorest of the poor. She was presented the Father Patrick Quinn Award for continuous years of service to the youth. She also donated her time to tutoring students at Gorenflo School and D'Iberville Middle School.
Melba is preceded in death by her parents, Nelson and Edna Higginbotham; sister, Shirley Parker; brothers, Percy, George, Curtis, Dennis, and Carey Higginbotham; nephews, Randy, David, Johnny, and Scott Higginbotham; and nieces, Brenda LaGrone and Mary Grace Higginbotham.
Survivors include special sister, Rose Mary Tiblier; nephew, Eddie Parker; caregivers and friends, Nellie and John Cruso; and many nieces and nephews.
We would like to thank Bay Cove Memory Center for the care they provided in her later years.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations be made to St. Vincent de Paul Pharmacy, 715 Division Street, Biloxi, MS 39530, (228) 374-9097, or Blessed Seelos Catholic Church, 360 Lameuse St, Biloxi, MS 39530, (228) 435-0007.
Visitation will be held Monday, June 26, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., with a 12:00 Noon Mass of Christian Burial, all at Blessed Seelos Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Biloxi City Cemetery.
The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.