Lonnie E Higginbotham

OZARK…Mr. Lonnie E. Higginbotham, a resident of the Klondyke Hill Community, near Ozark, died late Monday evening, June 30, 2025, in a Dothan hospital. He was 69.

Celebration of Life Services will be held at 5:00 P.M. Monday, July 7, 2025, in Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home Chapel with his nephew, Pastor Gary Pollard officiating. The family will receive friends from 4:00 until 5:00 P.M. Monday at the funeral home. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Higginbotham, beloved son of the late Shelby Leon Higginbotham and Frances Mae Kelley Higginbotham, was born in Avon Park, Florida, where he spent his early years shaped by the quiet values of hard work and resilience. In the early 1980s, he made the move to Ozark, Alabama, which soon became the place he proudly called home. He quickly became part of the fabric of the community—a familiar face known for his steady hands, kind heart, and laid-back spirit.

A man of many talents and strong work ethic, Mr. Higginbotham lent his skills to several companies over the years. He worked with F & W Construction Company, where he was known not only for his craftsmanship, but also for the sense of camaraderie he brought to every job site. Later, he drove for HTL Trucking, spending long hours on the road with a quiet diligence and reliability that others came to count on. Eventually, his path led him to Blackmon’s Body Shop in Ozark, where he was admired for his precision and pride in a job well done. To those who worked alongside him, he wasn’t just a co-worker—he was a friend, a trusted teammate, and someone who brought calm and clarity to even the busiest of days.

Outside of work, Mr. Higginbotham found joy in life’s simple pleasures. He especially loved playing billiards at the Village Inn, where he was a familiar figure behind the cue, always ready for a friendly game and a good laugh. It wasn’t just the competition he enjoyed, but the connection—the friendships built around shared stories and the clatter of pool balls. He was also a diehard fan of University of Alabama Football, and game days were a special kind of celebration. Whether cheering from his living room or bantering with friends about the latest plays, he wore his Crimson Tide pride on his sleeve.

Though he lived quietly, Mr. Higginbotham left a lasting impact on those fortunate enough to know him. He had a gentle nature, a steady presence, and a generous heart that found expression in quiet acts of kindness. Family meant the world to him, and his love for them was deep and unwavering. He was preceded in death by his great-nephew, D.J. Johnson.

Surviving relatives include his son, Timothy Higginbotham (Rebekah); three grandchildren, Xavier Higginbotham, Aaliyah Higginbotham, and Jasper Welcher; two sisters including his twin, Bonnie Lane, Ozark and Dean Hinshaw, Headland; nieces and nephew, Tina Chandler (Jody), Gary Pollard (Talitha), and Amie Burgin (Wade); great-nieces and great nephews, Haley Johnson (Drew), Riyan Pollard, Addisyn Pollard, Garret Reeves, and Asher Rodriguez.