Barbara Jean Higginbotham

Barbara Jean Dunbar-Fritz-Higginbotham, age 92, of Anderson, passed away on November 19, 2022, at Community Hospital in Anderson. She was born in Sullivan, IN on March 11th, 1930, to her loving parents, the late Leslie and Mildred Dunbar.

Barbara was a graduate of Anderson High School, Class of 1948. She was then married to her loving husband William Thomas Fritz of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, who is the father of her six biological children. She worked for Delco Remy in the quality control department for many years. She enjoyed many things in life including fishing, water skiing, being outdoors, sewing, painting, making wonderful food and entertaining loved ones, sharing and playing her favorite dominoes game chickenfoot, hiking the trails of Mounds State Park, and traveling. She was always up for an adventure and vacationed in most of the 50 states including Hawaii, and traveled to Holland, England, and Africa. She was extremely talented at decorating and had the most impressive flower beds. In her younger years, she competed in beauty pageants winning several titles. Noted for her beautiful red hair, her ability to communicate volumes with a mere glance and her impeccable comedic timing, to know her was to love her and she was such a blessing to those she loved. She was a proud supporter of the La Leche League. She went to Washington D.C. in 1976 to support women’s and children’s rights, family values, and was always dedicated to what America and its Constitution stand for. Barbara had a magnetic personality, never met a stranger, and loved conversation and making real and meaningful connections with people of all walks. 26 years ago, after life events and losses, she was reintroduced to her high school sweetheart Forrest Higginbotham whom she married and with whom she enjoyed a wonderful love and was very active in many church ministries. She was so strong in her belief in her savior Jesus Christ and her faith was the center of everything for her. She was truly one-of-a-kind and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Barbara is survived by her husband Forrest Higginbotham; children Coni Barlow (Roger), Vicky Fritz, Timothy Scott Fritz, Amy Jo Ellis (Roy), Timothy Lee Higginbotham, Thomas Presnell Higginbotham (Debra), David Scott Higginbotham (Evelyn), Melissa Jane Constantinou (Kleanthis); grandchildren Heather, India, Israel, Natasha, Lydia, Seth, Henry “Sol”, William, Taylor, Macy, Timothy, Jeremy, Paul, Ruth, Todd, Mark, Andrew, John, Stephen, and Laura; 18 great-grandchildren; and brother Dan Dunbar (Mary).

She is preceded in death by her parents listed above; son Barry Allen Fritz; son Thomas Gregory Fritz; grandson Jeremy; and sister Anna.

Considering this Thanksgiving Holiday week and the travel burdens of this season, a private Celebration of Life will be video recorded at a later date and distributed.