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Obituary: James F. Higginbottom

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jay-higginbottom

James F. Higginbottom
of Batesville, AR

September 1, 1945 – July 13, 2021

James F. Higginbottom Jr., 75, of Batesville passed away Tuesday, July 13, 2021.

He was born September 1, 1945, in Batesville to Jim and Alice (Story) Higginbottom.

James was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and worked for the radio station KBTA-AM, and other Batesville and Mountain View-area stations from the White River Now radio group, for 53 years. Jim Higginbottom was a founding owner of KBTA-AM, the first radio station to go on the air in Batesville.

Survivors include one adoptive daughter, Dixie Smithee of Batesville; three god-children, Scott Baxter (Tracy) of Batesville, Sissy Wilson (Ricky) of O’Neal, and Shelly Baxter of Horseshoe Bend; two adoptive grandchildren, Misty Smithee of Batesville, and Justin Smithee (Katie) of Cave City; four cousins, Carolyn Call (David) of Boulder, Colorado, Ben Brickhouse (Dale) of Blairsville, Georgia, Lucia Madey of Gainsville, Florida, and Joel Adams of Cape Coral, Florida; three great-grandchildren, Brileigh Marlin, Brecken Smithee, Brooks Smithee, and his best friend of 70 years, Brenda Baxter of Batesville.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

Pallbearers are Scott Baxter, Ricky Wilson, Justin Smithee, Marty Tipton, Bill Olson, and Jon Hidy. Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Jim E. Lytle, Danny Yeager, Dr. Bill Waldrip, John Clouse, and Ronnie Clouse.

Graveside services will be Monday, July 19, 2021 at Oaklawn Cemetery in Batesville at 10 a.m. with Rev. Jim McDonald officiating.

Visitation will be held from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Sunday, July 18, 2021, at the Roller-Crouch Funeral Home in Batesville.

Memorials may be made to Independence County Library at 267 E Main St, Batesville, AR 72501.

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