Elizabeth Anne Higginbotham

Elizabeth Anne Higginbotham was born on October 17, 1938 and died on June 10, 2017. Sustained by her deep faith she struggled with Alzheimer's for twelve years before gracefully going home. She was preceded in death by her parents W.B. O'Neal Jr. and his wife Anne, her brother W.B. O'Neal III, all of Atlanta, GA.

She is survived by her husband Judge Patrick Higginbotham, daughter Anne and husband Jay Howard of Austin, TX, Patricia Lynn and husband Francis Michael Lujan, Sr. of Dallas and his son Bradley. Plus, Laney, Jenna, Tyler Patrick, and Jessi Howard; Patrick Hamilton Lujan and Francis Michael Lujan II; nephews George Patrick Foster of Dallas, Will and Rob O'Neal of Atlanta; cousins Roger and Anne Poore of Ross, CA, Hilda and David Fletcher of Athens, GA.

A "Buckhead" girl, she received her B.S. degree from the University of Alabama where in her junior year she met a law student also barely twenty years old, lighting a kindred spirit with an intensity sustained for nigh six decades. A gifted teacher of the young and master of phonics she taught in the elementary schools of Madison NJ, Midwest City OK, Charleston SC, and Richardson TX. She traveled with Pat as he took on tasks in London, the Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Manila, Toronto, Lyon, and Innsbruck with extended stays in Madrid, opening hearts and doors with her smile, keen wit, and quickness of mind--acuity warmly clothed in the mien of Macon and Atlanta Georgia. She solved complex problems easily while leading others to find the solution unaware of the source of their insight. This generous spirit, a tool in the hands of a teacher, endeared her to so many. It was footed in her core Christian values of service, seeking grace in making life better for others. With Elizabeth this gift centered on the teaching of children particularly those with disabilities. As a friend commented, "she is in heaven with a circle of children working on projects."

There will be a graveside service for family at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin, Texas at 11 am, Sunday, June 18th.

The family expresses their deep appreciation to Libba's caretakers, the Sisters of the Incarnate Word Order and its Angelique and de Matel houses in San Antonio creatures of an order of Catholic nuns whose Christian mission has for more than 300 years been to care for the ill and infirm. Finally a salute to the sisters' home in Lyon, its beautiful cathedral overlooking the city and loved by our Libba.

Please no flowers. Rather consider the Village of Incarnate Word, the Angelique and de Matel houses.