Eddie Joe Higginbotham's Obituary
Eddie Joe Higginbotham of Hawthorne, FL passed away Tuesday, November 1, 2022, at UF Health, surrounded by his family. He was born November 9, 1944, in Marietta, FL to Everett L. and Mamie Manning Higginbotham. He was raised in Baldwin, FL and moved to Hawthorne in 1958. He graduated from Hawthorne HS in 1962. It was there he met the love of his life and best friend, Linda Oliver. They married July 25, 1963. He was called to serve in the United States Navy in March of 1963. He proudly served from 1963-1968.
Eddie Joe and Linda were blessed with two daughters, who brought him a tremendous sense of pride and joy. He dearly loved his family, all of whom will miss his presence.
Eddie Joe was the founding co-owner of B & H Plumbing in 1972. As an avid hunter “Blue Bomber”, he enjoyed hunting various game. He founded the Cracker Boy’s Hunt Club in 1972 which remains active to this day. During that same time, he also founded the Star Lake Hunt Club.
Eddie Joe was very generous with his time and talents. He was the kind of person people would seek for advice and a listening ear. It was his pleasure being actively involved in the community in numerous ways, including business development, agriculture, neighborhood clean-up efforts, and supporting the FFA. He had a great passion for real estate development and cattle, watermelon, and blueberry farming. He was also a proud and avid supporter of Donald J Trump and his administration.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, E.L. and Bobby Higginbotham.
He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Linda, and children Belinda (Greg) Lubben and Betty Jo (Kelly) Saunders, grandsons Josh Lubben and Austin (Marah) Saunders, and his honorary daughter, Cheryl Endicott, a brother Harold Higginbotham, sister-in-law Barbara Haire, brother-in-law Jack Oliver, nieces and nephews, Jerry Higginbotham, Mike Oliver, J.C. Haire, Michelle Crisalli, Annetta Ireson, and many other beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.
The family of Eddie Joe invites you to attend a Celebration of Life on Saturday, December 10, 2022, at 3:00 pm at the American Legion in Hawthorne, 20370 SE Hawthorne Rd. Please bring a lawn chair and a side dish or dessert to share. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation in his name to the American Heart Association 3324 W University Ave. #128, Gainesville, FL 32607, or The Hawthorne Chapter of FFA, made payable to Hawthorne Middle/High school 21403 SE 69th Ave, Hawthorne, FL 32640.
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