Deborah Carole Higginbotham

Deborah Carole “Debbie” Higginbotham, 87, a long-time resident of Sully, died Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, at Grinnell Regional Medical Center. A private family celebration will be held. Memorials to St. Francis Manor/Hammond Center may be left at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. 

Debbie, the daughter of Frank “Pop” and Sarah Jane (Teasdale) Gibson, was born Dec. 22, 1933, in Albia.  She grew up in Albia and graduated from Albia High School. On June 1, 1951, Debbie was united in marriage with Paul Higginbotham in Albia. They lived between Attica and Sully before making their home in Sully permanently in 1961. Debbie was a homemaker for many years, raising their five children, until going to work at the Maytag Company for 25 years, retiring in 1992. Debbie enjoyed bowling, knitting, reading, camping and shopping. She also loved to spend time with her family.

Debbie is survived by her husband, Paul Higginbotham; children, Alan (Carol) Higginbotham of Pella, Pam (Chris) Moore of Newton, Peg (Bob) Mavin of Olathe, Kan., Jane McMahon of Traer and Judy (Randy) Nikkel of Sully; her grandchildren, Greg (Kim) Higginbotham, Heidi Higginbotham, Todd (Kendra) Higginbotham, Chase Higginbotham (Kayla Langstraat), Shari (Tim) Westercamp, Shawna (Eldon) Van Zee, Sharesa (Jason) Van Arendonk, Melinda (Jim) Dennis, Melissa (Tom) Miller, Matthew (Jessica) Moore, Scott (Jennifer) Mavin, Jason Mavin, Erin (Eric) McEwen, Jessica (Brian) Maston, Emily Nikkel, Jodi (Nick) Steinbach and Kyle Nikkel (Alex Fangman); 45 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; and her niece and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; son-in-law, Neal McMahon; grandson, Logan Higginbotham; two brothers, Matthew and Robert Gibson; and a sister, Virginia Overturf.