Just came across this memorial for Mr. Hugh. He was my Latin teacher, guidance counselor, and much more while I was at CBHS (class of 1971). One particular memory is still so vivid. We had just gotten report cards, some time during my junior year. At the end of class Mr. Hugh came up to me, cornered me up against the wall and said he wanted to see my report card. My grades were a mixture, averaging about a B. He told me VERY firmly -- "these are not good enough! You can do much better and are wasting your talent with these grades."  I have never forgotten his words. They had a huge impact, not just on my grades, but upon my whole self-image. What a tremendous teacher he was -- for so many things. Wish I had told him this in person.

Mr Higginbotham was my Latin teacher throughout high school at Christian Brothers.  That was fifty years ago, but I still remember both Hail Mary and Our Father in Latin.  He required that we say one or the other at the beginning of every class.
It's interesting how teachers can leave such a long-lasting impression on those that they teach. 
RIP

Hugh was a friend to me from the time we were enrolled at Catholic High School.  He was adventurous, loquacious and had a great sense of humor.  I remember the time that he, Richard Waldon and I took a trip to New Orleans.  We took in all of the sights, including St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square and Pat O'Brien's.  We also went to see the Hermitage in Nashville.  We traded stories about our professors at Memphis State and about the time we served in the Armed Forces.  He was a groomsman at Mary Marna and my wedding, and tried mightily to find the priest who was supposed to be present officiating at the wedding.  Hugh was a fine person and I'm sure he's on his way to heaven right now.

Mr. Higginbotham was our Key Club Moderator while I was at Christian Brothers.  In the summer of 1975, several of the Key Club officers along with Mr. Higginbotham travelled to New Orleans for the Key Club Convention.  Keeping track of us was probably a very taxing endeavor in of itself, but Mr. Higginbotham did it superbly with patience and humor. He was always a teacher and while we were in New Orleans , he insisted that we dress up one night in coat and tie and accompany him to the world-class Antoine's restaurant.  He wanted to make sure we experience  one of the finer aspects of New Orleans. Oh, what a meal it was! We were escorted to a private dining room.  Mr H sat at the head of the long table.  He assisted us in understanding the menu.  The multi-course meals were superb and we finished with Baked Alaska, a dessert that all of us had never seen or tasted. I don't remember much of the Key Club convention but I never forgot our meal.  I  always appreciated that Mr. Higginbotham made the extra effort to expose us to something new and elegant.  He was a superb LaSallian teacher, an excellent guidance counselor and very special individual. God Speed.

A true educator. It was a privilege being in his class.


Mr. Hugh was one of my favorite neighbors and friend.  We met many years ago while he was walking to Audubon Café and would talk for ever every time we met.  He helped me with geneology at the library and would stop by my house on Graham to talk.  My daughter worked at Audubon Café and became friends with her and my granddaughter. Years later he would always ask how they were and what they were doing.  He was a very special person and a good friend.  My prayers are with his family.

May God Bless Mr. Hugh. He was a wonderful teacher who was always firm but compassionate. He allowed you to make mistakes and then learn from them. He would challenge you to be the best person you were meant to be. Always a friend. Truly we need more men like Mr. Hugh for he was a real Teacher.
Prayers to his family at this time. Know that he was loved by many "Brothers Boys". 

As a student I had Mr Hugh at both St. Michael`s  and later at CBHS.
He was always tough but fair and understanding. In high school he was very open and frank and willing to discuss all those "difficult" adolescent subjects.
 He was purposeful in discussing in class how to be a young man, all the while demanding we respect the young ladies we were starting to date.
We need men like Mr Hugh involved in the upbringing of students.
Bravo!Mr Hugh; and peace be to you and your family.
David Woodard, CBHS '76

Gathering of Family and Friends

Mass of Christian Burial

Joy Maclin (Curtis)

Marilee Whitten

Ruby Dorris

Kathie Higginbotham

Samuel Higginbotham

William Higginbotham (Susan)

Seven (7)

Nine (9)

He also leaves a host of great-nieces, great-nephews; great-great nieces and great-great nephews. He was Godfather to all of them.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Hugh Oliver Higginbotham, Sr. and Mary Sullender Higginbotham.

OBITUARY

Hugh Oliver Higginbotham, Jr.

January 19, 1937 – January 23, 2019

Memphis Funeral Home

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services