Oma Beatrice Higginbotham, age 96, formerly of Wellington, passed away on Sunday, May 13, 2007 in Las Vegas, NV.

Oma Beatrice Higginbotham was born in Carter, OK to Charles R. McInturff and Sally Elizabeth (Folks) McInturff on January 27, 1911.

Her greatest wish was to become a school teacher of young children, and that she did for 43 years. She loved each and every child that she encountered in the classroom and guided each one to achieve their highest goals in life. Her favorite hobby was playing bridge and throughout the years, belonged to many clubs in Wellington and never tired of the game. Each nickel on the corner that she won, was worth more than gold to her. She was an active member of the First Methodist Church of Wellington, a member of Ladies Elk Society when it was formed, and was surrounded by a large and loving group of friends. She traveled extensively all over the world, after retiring from teaching. Throughout the years, on each Wellington High School reunion, she would sit on her front porch and the past students would stop by and pay their respect to their favorite teacher.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Roy S. Higginbotham; two grandsons, Thomas David and Thomas Clarke; three brothers; three brothers-in-law; and three nephews.

She is survived by one daughter, Yvonna Rae Ross, son-in-law, Thomas C. Ross; two grandsons, Kevin Wayne and Donald Mark; great granddaughters, Markie Ross and Kelsi Ross, all of Las Vegas, NV. One great-grandson, Jonathan Thomas Ross with the U. S. Embassy Marine Corps in Bucharest, Romania. Three sisters, Bobby Ketch of Guthrie, OK, Gracie Price and Lorene Ivy of Levelland, TX, and one brother, C. R. McInturff of Amarillo, TX. She also leaves 15 nieces and nephews and many great nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, May 19, 2007 at 11:00 A.M. at the First United Methodist Church in Wellington, KS. Officiating will be Oma's nephew, Pastor Charles Lee Ivy of Texas and also Reverend Brent Clayton of the First United Methodist Church in Wellington. Interment will follow the service at Sumner Memorial Gardens.

Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Friday, May 18, 2007 from 3:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.

A memorial has been established with Creekside Hospice in Las Vegas, NV. Contributions can be left at or mailed to the funeral home.

Her daughter, Yvonna Rae, would like to extend heartfelt thanks to all of her friends for their love and thoughtfulness shown to her throughout her time spent in Las Vegas.

Frank Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.