Robert S. Higginbotham Sr.

Robert Saffold Higginbotham, Sr., 82, of Jacksonville, FL, joined his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on September 1, 2015. He was the son of the late Anne Saffold Higginbotham and William Howard Higginbotham. Bob was born in Atlanta, GA on August 24, 1933. He lived in Raleigh, NC from 1940 until graduating, BSBA, from UNC, Chapel Hill. In 1955 he was commissioned in the USMC as an Infantry Officer. Bob was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He had a love for life and close relationships with his many friends, but family was his life, abundant joy and constant pride. Bob was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 56 years, Elizabeth Ballard Higginbotham and his infant son Thomas Howard Higginbotham. He is survived by his son, Rob Higginbotham; daughter, Kathy Davis and son-in-law, Rick Davis; daughter, Karen Bernstein; grandchildren, Lauren Armstrong, Kate Armstrong, and Brooks Bernstein; great-grandchildren, Emma and Jack Mobley; sisters in-law, Carol Daniels and Kit McManus; brother in-law, Charles McManus; niece, Cammie McManus and uncle, Frank Saffold. Bob had a diverse career starting as a management trainee with Sea Land Service and progressing through varied positions in operations, sales and marketing, and Director of Manpower Planning and Development. Later he was Vice President of Human Resources with Hennis/Spector Freight Lines and held corporate officer responsibilities with Diamondhead Corporation and US Lines. After 17 years, he retired from Parrish Tire Company of Winston-Salem, NC. He also served several terms on the Board of Directors of the NC Trucking Association. Over the years, he served as a Deacon while a member of the Presbyterian Church, as well as in various other ministries within the church. Bob was also a Member /Ambassador and on the Board of Directors for the Williams YMCA in Mandarin, FL. Bob will be sorely missed by all who knew him, but we are comforted by having him live in our memories, our hearts, and in Heaven where we will someday see him again. A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at 11:30am on Friday, September 25, 2015 at Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Rd. Jacksonville, FL 32218 with Pastor Jeff Arnold of Mandarin Presbyterian Church, officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bob’s name to Mandarin Presbyterian Church, 11844 Mandarin Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32223.