Melba Higginbotham

Melba Higginbotham was a vibrant woman who loved to dance, shop, and spend time with the people she loved. On Saturday mornings, you could often find her at Fred's Lounge at 10:00 AM, having a great time. She shared a lifelong friendship with Joyce McKeehan and Beverly Gilchrist. The three met in the late 1970s and quickly became close, traveling all over the country together. Melba was devoted to her grandchildren and loved them dearly.

Melba spent 37 years working in real estate and property management in the Lake Charles area. She owned and operated Lake Charles Property Management before selling the company in 2009. She was a founding member of the Southwest Louisiana Apartment Association and served as its association executive from 1977 to 2000.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Scotty Higginbotham of Lake Charles and Angie Higginbotham of West Monroe; her grandchildren, Tyler Ashby (Tracy), Courtney Ballard (Red), and Aiden Brooks; her great-grandchildren, Huck Ballard, Hayes Ballard, and Penelope Ashby; and her brother, Joe Pennington (Joan) of Puyallup, Washington.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Nina Moncrief; her brother, Jimmy Pennington; and her son-in-law, John Hillenbrand.

A celebration of life for Melba will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at Johnson Funeral Home of Lake Charles. Visitation will begin at 11:00 AM and continue until the start of the service.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Sage Oak Assisted Living, and Brighton Bridge Hospice for all of their care and love.

In lieu of flowers, please make all memorial donations to The National Alzheimer's Association .