Ernestine Coleman Higginbotham

Annie Ernestine Higginbotham, age 92, passed quietly at her home Wednesday morning surrounded by her loving husband of 76 years and her children.  She entered through Heaven’s Gates on April 17, 2019! A funeral service is planned for Saturday, April 20, 2019 at 2 p.m. at Butler Pentecostal Church near Shuqualak, MS with Bro. Gerald Butler and Bro. Jared Glover officiating.  Interment will follow in Butler Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church Friday from 6-8 p.m.  Memorials may be made to Soul Harbor Pentecostal Church, P.O. Box  474, Shuqualak, MS  39361 or Butler Cemetery, 991 Johnny Higginbotham RD., Shuqualak, MS  39361. Cockrell Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with arrangements.  Pallbearers will be  Al Hannah, Jonathan Hannah, Tyler Higginbotham, Erik Adams, Tony Moore, Chip Hines, James Harlow, Austin Hannah, and Chaffin Upchurch. Honorary pallbearers will be all member of the Soul Harbor Pentecostal Church and nurses and staff of Kindred Hospice.

Ernestine was born on February 14 ^th , 1927 in Gholson, MS.  She was one of five siblings born to Thomas Howard and Lela Tommie Butler Coleman.  She is survived by her husband, Charlie Brooks Higginbotham, Sr. and three children, Carolyn (Junior) Jones, Charlie (Merl) Higginbotham, Jr., Cindy (Ralph) Skipper all of Shuqualak, MS and one Son-in-law, Tom Hannah (Lou) from Piedmont, SC.

She has nine Grandchildren, Charlotte Conner, Dawn Harlow (James), Al Hannah (Kim), Jonathan Hannah, Tyler Higginbotham (Amy), Kendrick Adams (Erik), Candice Hines (Chip), Kellis Moore, Tony Moore (B.J.)

She has fourteen Great Grandchildren, Maria Walton (Tyler), Boddie Harlow, Austin Hannah, Katie Rose Ricks (Casey), Maridee Higginbotham (Stephen Robertson), Sadie Higginbotham, Sophie Hines, Sam Hines, Isabella Moore, Sawyer Ross, Chaffin Upchurch, Isaac Adams, William Walton Adams and Sutton Adams.

She has  four Great -Great Grandchildren, Conner Walton, Zander Walton, Anna Tyler Ricks and Butler Brooks Ricks plus numerous nieces and nephews that she loved as her children.

Ernestine is preceded in death by her daughter, Lillie “Lou” Hannah and a stillborn son, Ronnie Higginbotham.  She is also preceded in death by all her siblings, Cleveland Coleman, David Coleman,

Willie Mae Green and Ruth Higginbotham.  She has one sister-in-law, Mary Coleman left to maintain the Coleman name.

Ernestine and Brooks married when she was only 15 years old.  Brooks left for the Army shortly after their marriage.  After the birth to their first child, Carolyn, she boarded a train with a two week old baby and went to Monroe, Virginia to be close to her husband.  After their second daughter, Lou, and was born they bought a small farm in Gholson, MS and made it their home for 11 years.  Mama took a job as a seamstress at the Pants Factory in Macon, MS.  They moved to Shuqualak in February 1957, two weeks after their last child, Cindy was born and shortly afterwards they built a small country store in front of their home and she managed the store every day for 18 years.

Ernestine was a loving mother and homemaker but her favorite title was being a Grandmother or “MawMaw” for her!  She loved to cook and enjoyed preparing meals for all her family.  It gave her great pride to have her family around her kitchen table at mealtime.  She especially took great pride in her holiday meals.  No matter what holiday it was, the table was covered in dishes and there wasn’t an inch of space left on the counter top that didn’t have food prepared for that special day.  She knew the favorites of every member of the family and she made sure that those dishes were prepared especially for them.

Her next favorite occupation was cleaning house.  She loved her home and the flowers in her yard.  She would spend hours working on each.  Whether it was polishing hardwood floors or pulling weeds from her flower beds, she was happy as could be doing each chore.

Her absolute favorite thing to do was taking care of her grandchildren.  All of her children worked, so all the grandchildren ended up at MawMaw’s each day during the week and after school.  Even though she had children under her most of her day, she continued to maintain a spotless house and a beautiful yard, which by the way was awarded “Yard of the Month” countless times!  Her discipline for her grandchildren was with more love, hugs and candy. The Grandchildren preferred to be at MawMaw and PawPaw’s house more than their own house.  The Grand Kids always knew that MawMaw kept candy hid at her house and would sneak each one of them a piece during the day.

Ernestine was a charter member of Soul Harbor Pentecostal Church in Shuqualak, MS.  She loved her church, her pastor, Bro. Gerald Butler and each member of the church held a special place in her heart.

Every member knew that if they needed something to be prayed for that she was the go to person.  Her church members and every member of her family considered her to have a direct line to Jesus and I’m not sure that she didn’t.  She was a faithful member of her church until her health just would not permit her to go anymore but she continued to read her bible until her eyes were too weak to read anymore.  I am sure there was not a day that went by that she did not lift every single person in her family and extended family up in prayer.  She loved the days that Bro. Gerald Butler would come by and check on her, which he did often or if he didn’t come by in person, he called to check on her.  Her spirit was always lifted when he would stop by and have prayer with her.

Ernestine loved everyone that entered her door.  There were no strangers at her house.  She welcomed them with open arms, hugs and kisses and food when she was still able to do so.

The last four years of Ernestine’s health was on a gradual decline.  She knew her days were numbered but up until her last breath, she showed more love and affection to her family than you could ever dream possible!   She was loved by many and will be missed every day.  We love you Mama!

I can only Imagine!