Mary Higginbotham

Catahoula - A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am, on Friday, April 6, 2012, at St. Rita Catholic Church in Catahoula, for Mary Lee Camille Higginbotham, 78, who passed away on Tuesday, April 3, 2012, at Lafayette General Medical Center. Rev. Richard Fabr will officiate at the Funeral Mass. The scripture readings will be read by Lloyd D. Higginbotham, Jr. and Tiffanie Bulliard. Interment will follow at Our Lady of the Lake Cemetery in Catahoula. Mrs. Higginbotham was the owner and operator of Reds Levee Bar and various other businesses for numerous years. Mary Lee was a loving, devoted, and supportive wife, mother, and grandmother. Although she was a mother to five, she was a second mother to many. She was especially proud and encouraging of her husband, Lloyd 'Red', who was actively involved and held various positions in St. Martin Parish Government and the State of Louisiana for 43 years. In her free time she enjoyed reading, working outdoors, cooking for family gatherings and she occasionally enjoyed playing cards and going to the casino - she always enjoyed having a 'shot' of coffee with her family and friends. It was known throughout Catahoula that her Lemon Meringue Pie was the best, by far. Like many others, she was an avid fan of the New Orleans Saints and looked forward to each and every season to cheer them on. Mary Lee observed the season of Lent with great reverence, with Good Friday being a most special day for her. It was on this day that she not only wanted for family and friends to come together spiritually, but to acknowledge the love each of them had for one another. She loved visiting with her customers in the bar and was genuinely concerned with what was going on in their lives. Mary Lee was very compassionate and had a heart of gold - she gave selflessly and would help anyone if they were in need. She will be sorrowfully missed by her family, friends, and the community which she held so dear to her heart. She is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, Lloyd Dave 'Red' Higginbotham, Sr. of Catahoula; her son, Lloyd D. Higginbotham Jr. of Carencro; four daughters, Vicki Boudreaux and husband, Barry, Trudy Jetton and husband, Shawn, Arlene Higginbotham, Liz H. Breaux and companion, Wilton Gary, Jr., all of Catahoula; her brother, James Camille and wife, Gloria, of Catahoula; three sisters, Lories Dauphinet and husband, Richard, of Catahoula, Linda Pelous and husband, Robert, of Loreauville, and Velma Duplechien and husband, Billy, of Coteau Holmes; 22 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, Walter J. and Emelina Johnson Camille; her brother, Jessie Camille; her sister, Amelinda C. Bergeron; and a grandson, Gabriel Higginbotham. The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Dion Hall in Catahoula on Thursday, beginning at 10:30 am and continue until 10:30 am on Friday. A rosary will be recited at 7:00 pm on Thursday. Pallbearers will be Lloyd Higginbotham, Jr., Ridge Boudreaux, Rusty Latiolais, Lane Savoy, Darby Robicheaux, Lloyd Higginbotham III, Kagan Breaux, and Tanner Boudreaux. Honorary pallbearers will be her sons-in-law. Pellerin Funeral Home, (337.332.2111), is in charge of arrangements. To view on-line obituary, sign guestbook and , go to www.pellerinfuneralhome.com