Beryl Claire Gill Higginbotham

Beryl Claire Gill Higginbotham (“Miss Bea”), 89, passed away on Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at Ochsner Medical Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, she was born on November 30,1936.

She is survived by her five children, Rev. Tom Higginbotham (Patti), Joi Lohr (Pat), Gina Strong (David), Bret Higginbotham (partner Ashley), and Erin Carroll (partner Jimmy); her grandchildren, Ryan Dunlap (Tuba), Kimberly Lorio (Yul), Kevin Dunlap (Michelle), Jesse Thibodeaux (Megan), and Allison Rowland (Matt); as well as nine great-grandchildren, Kenzie Dunlap, Cora Dunlap, Daphne Dunlap, Jude Rowland, Julienne Lorio, Claire Rowland, Lyra Thibodeaux, Oliver Thibodeaux, and Noah Dunlap. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, as well as life-long friends.

She was a member of Teche Baptist Church and was the “hands and feet of Jesus” by being a member of both Campers on Mission and Disaster Relief for many years. She loved gardening, camping, fishing, painting, board games, and puzzles.

She was preceded in death by her parents (William and Hazel Gill), a sister (Joan Heller), and a brother (William “Buddy” Gill).

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.