Obituaries

Carolyn Gayle Higginbotham

Carolyn Gayle Higginbotham (Richards), 83, of New Braunfels, Texas, passed away peacefully on June 25, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.

Carolyn was born in Houston, Texas, to Era Lee Hardeman Richards and Orlando Richards. She attended Smiley High School and later earned her GED from Houston Adult High School in 1967, demonstrating a lifelong commitment to education. In her 30s and 40s, she continued her studies, earning an Associate of Applied Science in Substance Abuse Counseling from Angelina College before graduating from Stephen F. Austin State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Arts.

Throughout her life, Carolyn embraced many roles and careers, including working as a self-employed contractor for the Houston Chronical, a dental assistant and later as an addiction counselor, where she found fulfillment helping others.

Above all, Carolyn was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, dog mom, and cherished Memaw. She took great pride in maintaining a warm, welcoming, and beautifully organized home. Wise, compassionate, and an excellent listener, she was a trusted confidante to many. Yet she also had a wonderfully playful side, always ready with a joke, a smile, or a laugh that could brighten any room.

Music was one of Carolyn's greatest passions. She learned to play several instruments, including the piano, bass guitar, rhythm guitar, and piano accordion. Some of her family's most treasured memories were made performing together in the family band, Bayou Express, entertaining audiences at county fairs and town squares throughout East Texas. Those joyful days filled with music, laughter, and family remained some of her happiest memories.

When she wasn't spending time caring for her beloved dogs or doting on her children and grandchildren, Carolyn enjoyed reading, working puzzles, and tending to her garden. She was an avid birder, even earning a professional certification for creating a bird sanctuary in her own backyard in Huntington, Texas. She was also an exceptional cook and baker whose meals brought family together around the table. Her cooking was so delicious that everyone left wishing for seconds—and often joking that they could lick their plates clean.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her husband, Aaron Higginbotham; her parents, Era Lee and Orlando Richards; her brother, Kenneth Richards; and her daughter, Sherry Jones.

She is lovingly remembered by her sister, Melva; her children, James (Angie) and Sandy (Doug); her grandchildren, Jessica, Krystal, Shawn (Rachel), Eric (Stacy), and Emily (Cody); and her great-grandchildren, Ian, Caylee, Trentin, Dylan, and Jordan.

Whether she was known as Carolyn, Mama, Mom, Mana, or Memaw, she touched countless lives with her kindness, strength, generosity, and unwavering love. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew her, and she will be deeply missed.

A celebration of Carolyn's life was held with family and friends on June 27, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Hope Hospice of New Braunfels for their lovely support during this hard process or to your local Humane Society or animal shelter in Carolyn's honor, reflecting her lifelong love and compassion for animals.