Mary Alice Higbee

Mary Alice Williams Higbee, 76, of Madison, MS, passed away on Sunday, January 28, 2024, at Ancestor’s Home in Fountain, CO. Mary Alice was born in Hermanville, MS, to Edgar Herman Williams, Jr. and Georgia Laudee Baker Williams on December 7, 1947.

Mary Alice married John Wayne Higbee on October 16, 1966, in Hermanville, MS. They were married for 56 years. Mary Alice loved the Lord and shared Jesus with everyone she met. Even as a young girl she was testifying and leading people to Jesus. Mary Alice was a homemaker and stay-at-home mother to her 3 children Tim, Mike, and Connie for several years. Being a wife, mother, and Mimi were her greatest joys. She loved gardening, painting, and sewing. Mary Alice was an active member of Petal United Methodist Church for many years. She taught Sunday School, sang in the church choir, and was an active member of the United Methodist Women’s group in Petal, MS. After moving to the Jackson, MS, area and later Madison, MS, Mary Alice managed and worked in several medical offices through the years. She retired from the Surgical Clinic in Jackson, MS, and enjoyed her retirement creating beautiful quilts and sewing projects for friends and family. She started the Higbee Hive Quilting class at Rebecca Baine Rigby Library in Madison, MS, that continues today. At the time of her death, she was a member of St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church in Madison.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years John Wayne Higbee, two sisters Nancy Virginia Cantrelle and Ora Augusta Picket; and two brothers, Charles Joseph Williams and Taylor Cline Williams. 

Mary Alice is survived by two sons Timothy Wayne Higbee (Jennifer) of Covington, LA, and Michael Andrew Higbee (Shera) of Southhaven, MS, and one daughter Mary Constance Austin (Brad) of Falcon, CO. Grandchildren Jonna Elle Higbee, Allison Higbee Martin (Cameron), Andrew Walker Higbee, Lacey Higbee Palmisano (Logan), Zachary Berry Austin, and Leah Caylin Austin. Great Grandchildren Liam Reed Martin, Jack Cameron Martin, Owen Wayne Martin, Aden Henry Martin; two brothers, Herman Williams, Jr. of Leon, IA and Robert Douglas Williams of Hermanville, MS; two sisters, Lenora Jane Townsend of Centreville, MS, and Deborah Lynn Davis of Lorman, MS; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Friday, June 28, 2024, at 2:00 pm in Madison, MS, at St. Matthew’s UMC with visitation one hour prior. A family burial will be held Saturday June 29, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. in Hermanville, MS, for John Wayne and Mary Alice Williams Higbee. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hermanville Cemetery in care of Janet Salley at 1178 Abby Road, Hermanville, MS, 39086.