Local obituaries for Higginbotham Funeral Home

Jun 25, 2026

Karen Louise Burleson, born November 21, 1941, at Blackwell Clinic in Gorman, Texas, entered this world as the beloved daughter of R.G. Lewis and Helen Louise Pool. She grew up in Desdemona, attending local schools until love found her early and steadfast. On July 20, 1957, she married the love of her life, Jimmie Verle Burleson, beginning a partnership rooted...

Jun 18, 2026

Celebrating the Life of

Jimmie Verle Burleson

December 15, 1938 – June 18, 2026

Jimmie Verle Burleson was born on December 15, 1938, at Blackwell Hospital in Gorman, Texas, to Lee Roy and Ima Lee Burleson. Raised in Desdemona, Jim attended school there from first grade through high school, forming lifelong friendships and a deep love for the community that would always be...

May 31, 2026

Virginia Nelson Skaggs, a no-nonsense woman with a wicked sense of humor, passed away on May 31, 2026. Born to Henry Paul and Altha Nelson in Edmond, Oklahoma, Virginia was raised in Oklahoma and Kansas and graduated from Junction City High School.

While working as a switchboard operator at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, she met Jerry Skaggs on a blind double date....

May 27, 2026

Bertha Lee Bryant (Granny)

January 10, 1924 – May 27, 2026

Forever in our hearts, our precious angel.

Bertha Lee Bryant, 102, of Gorman, passed away peacefully at home on May 27, 2026, surrounded by her family.

Bertha was born on January 10, 1924, in Carbon to Barney and Viola Brannon. She was raised in a loving home alongside her siblings and carried those...

May 16, 2026

Emma Jane Skaggs Larch, beloved mother, grandmother and aunt, passed away on May 16, 2026, at DeLeon Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. 

She was born on January 6, 1942, to Georgie Fae (Sanders) Skaggs and Archie Skaggs in Gorman, TX. She moved to Dallas at the age of 18 and studied to be a nurse, a job she loved for the next...

Mar 30, 2026

Linda Carol Wright, 75, passed away on March 30, 2026, in the comfort of her home in Gorman, surrounded by her family. She was born on January 8, 1951, in Gorman, to Oran Earnest and Mary Corinne (Jackson) Welch. Upon graduating high school, she married the love of her life, Terry Wright on July 17, 1970. She found great joy...

Mar 27, 2026

CW Swanner, age 91, of Gorman, Texas, went to his Heavenly home on Friday, March 27, 2026. He was born on January 10, 1935, to Calvin and Stella Swanner.

He married the love of his life, Wilda Carter Swanner, on June 24, 1957. Together they had three children, Susan, Tim, and Mark.

He was a natural-born leader, and a man of many...

Mar 18, 2026

Jeffrey Wayne Broom, 67, passed away suddenly on March 18, 2026, at his home in Gorman, Texas. He was born on October 15, 1958, in Newport, Rhode Island, to Ray and Jone (Windham) Broom. His family later moved to Gorman where they settled and raised their families. After high school he went on to travel around a lot. He lived...

Mar 4, 2026

James Gary Overstreet was born May 9, 1947, in Gorman, Texas, to Wilburn and Ruby (Kinser) Overstreet. He entered into Heaven on March 4, 2026, where he was greeted by a host of family and friends.



Gary graduated from Gorman High School in 1965, where stories are still told of his football prowess. After high school, he attended Texas Christian University,...

Feb 24, 2026

William Alan Lynch passed away on February 24, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. He was born to the late Bill and Wilma Ingram Lynch on February 3, 1958 in Denton, Texas.

Alan attended trade school after graduating from Denton High School in 1976. He then chose to get to work as a masonry and helped build several tall buildings in the Dallas,...

Feb 6, 2026

Eddy Howard Iley, 69, passed away too soon on February 6, 2026, in Stephenville, Texas. He was born on April 21, 1956, in Fort Worth, Texas, to Howard Loyad Iley and Georgia Ann (Burleson) Iley. Upon graduating high school Eddy went into the workforce and had the opportunity to work multiple different jobs including Lennox in Fort Worth, Norton in...

Jan 12, 2026

Jim Rainey, 64, of Desdemona, Texas, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on January 12, 2026. Jim was born on September 12, 1961, in Gorman, Texas. He was a loving son, dad, grandpa, brother, uncle, and friend.

Jim is survived by his mom, Irene Barfield, his daughter, Brittany Rainey, four brothers; Jack Rainey and wife, Kathy, Hank Rainey,...

Dec 30, 2025

Billy Gene Burns, 82, passed away on December 30, 2025, in the comfort of his home in Gorman, Texas, surrounded by his loved ones. He was born on August 30, 1943, in Gorman, Texas, to Cecil L. and Beulia May Bullock Burns.

Billy spent his life as a farmer, not only was it his income and way of life, but it...

Nov 14, 2025

Mary Evelyn Jeffs, 83, passed away surrounded by her loved ones on November 14, 2025, in Abilene, Texas. She was born on December 12, 1941, in Freer, Texas, to Cecil and Neva Lee Woods Robertson. In 1947, she and her family moved to Gorman, Texas. Upon finishing high school, she married the love of her life, William F Jeffs Jr....

Nov 11, 2025

Freddie Clark Rodgers, 87, passed away on November 11, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones. He was born on September 11, 1938, in Gorman, Texas, to Fred W. and Murtice Chlodell (Simpson) Rodgers. Upon finishing high school, he married the love of his life, Kay Miller on July 28, 1962. His strong Christian example has blessed all of those who...

Oct 16, 2025

Dayton Wesley Spivey of Gorman, age 91, passed away Thursday, October 16, 2025, in Eastland, Texas. Wesley, as he was known, was born May 17, 1934, in Comanche County where he was raised. He was the eldest of 6 children to Wesley E. and Johnnie Reese Spivey.

After serving for four years in the U.S. Army, Wesley returned home to marry...

Oct 11, 2025

Donna Gail Thomas Fraley, of Gorman, Texas, passed peacefully from this life here on earth on her way to heaven to be reunited with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, October 11, 2025.

Donna was born in Quannah, Texas, on December 13, 1955, to the late Jerry Jones and Mary Madeline Hardiman Thomas. She married the love of her life, George...

Sep 19, 2025

D’Arla Nowlin, age 71, of De Leon, Texas, passed away on September 20, 2025, after a life filled with love, creativity, and devotion to her family and community.

Born on October 8, 1953, in De Leon to Joseph and Frances Scott, D’Arla grew up with a spirit that was equal parts intelligence, creativity, and stubborn determination — a combination that made...

Sep 19, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved Edith Luenell Shane, 84, passed away on September 19, 2025, In Eastland, Texas. She was born on January 6, 1941, In Gorman, Texas to John Marion and Leona Roberts Allen. She graduated from Desdemona High School. She later married the love of her life, James "Jim" Howard Shane Jr....

Aug 11, 2025

It is with heavy heart that we announce the passing of our dad. He passed peacefully in his sleep on August 11, 2025.

Dad was born on November 23,1944 in the small town of Gorman, Texas to staff Sgt. Wilber E. Simmons and Opal Mozelle Duke Simmons. He was also the oldest of three children.

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