February 3, 2016
Gerald “Jerry” Jacob Higginbotham, 67, of Roanoke, Virginia, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family and loved ones, on Tuesday, December 22, 2015. Higginbotham was born on November 5, 1948, in Savannah, Georgia, to the late Demah Jacob (DJ) and Harriett Rembe Higginbotham. He was also preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Edward Calvin and Frances Almon Powell; his brother-in-law, John Edward Powell; and his sister-in-law, Frances Powell Dodd, all of Cullman, Alabama.
Higginbotham grew up in the Roanoke Valley, which he loved fondly, and was a graduate of Cave Spring High School. He played football and basketball and ran track throughout his high school career. Higginbotham continued his love for football at Lees-McRae College and then at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. At Samford, he met many of his closest life friends and found the love of his life, Doris Jean Powell, whom he married on March 3, 1973.
Higginbotham’s parents and his brothers created and built their family business, Corrugated Container Corporation, where he was vice president of manufacturing. Their operation was established in 1963, and it has expanded to three locations beyond Roanoke, including Piney Flats, Tennessee; Winchester, Virginia; and Holly Springs, North Carolina.
Higginbotham’s love and passion for his family and work ran over into his community life, where he was active in bettering the Roanoke Valley by supporting programs such as the Southwest Roanoke County Soccer Club, the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, and Mill Mountain Theater. At the time of his death he was serving on the board of Foundation for Roanoke Valley. Higginbotham was a member of Cave Spring Masonic Lodge No. 230, Roanoke Scottish Rite, and Kazim Shriners of Roanoke, Virginia.
Higginbotham was among the pioneers in the growth of youth soccer in southwest Roanoke County. Through his vision, planning, and tireless efforts, the Merriman Soccer Complex was built and has been enjoyed by countless youth soccer players.
Jerry Higginbotham is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Doris Powell Higginbotham, and his three loving children, their spouses, and six grandchildren: Jacob Sloan and Rachel Higginbotham (Adalynn and Lillian) of Johnson City, Tennessee; Joseph Edward and Kelsey Higginbotham (Katelyn and Adelia) of Roanoke, Virginia; and Taylor and Lindsay Higginbotham Grist (Lyndon and Oliver) of Charlotte, North Carolina. He is also survived by his brothers and numerous nieces and a nephew: Ronnie and Ella Higginbotham, David and Sonja Higginbotham, Paul and Martha Ann Higginbotham—all of Roanoke—and John and Shelly Higginbotham of Buchanan, Virginia. He is also survived by his cousins Kathy French, Lincoln, Nebraska; Nancy Thompson, Rapid City, South Dakota; Jim Roshone, Pierre, South Dakota; and by his loving wife’s family.
The family would like to thank the many doctors and caregivers that Higginbotham has had over the past year: Blue Ridge Cancer Care, the orthopedic and palliative care units at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, Carilion Clinic Hospice Care, and At Home Caregivers.
The family suggests memorial gifts be made in Jerry’s memory to Foundation for Roanoke Valley, P.O. Box 1159, Roanoke, VA 24006.
