Marvin “Edsel” Higginbotham, 83, of Callahan, Fla. passed away peacefully at his home Nov. 26, 2017.
Edsel was a lifelong resident of Callahan. He graduated from Callahan High School in 1952, attended the University of Florida and then enlisted in the United States Army.
Edsel had a prosperous real estate career, Higginbotham Realty, in Duval and Nassau counties. He developed many tracts of land throughout Nassau and Duval counties, including Ratliff Road and Church Road in Callahan, Meadowfield Bluff in Yulee and Old Plank Road in Duval County. He was a member of the Greater Jacksonville Morocco Shrine Club and the Callahan Masonic Lodge. He was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Callahan. Edsel was also a lifetime member of the Crawford Hunting Club, where he was known as “Landman” by club members.
Edsel married the love of his life, Mildred Parker, in 1959. Edsel and Mildred would have been married 58 loving years in December. He was an avid outdoorsman and a lover of the land, especially “overseeing” his property. Edsel also enjoyed spending time in his other homes on the St. Johns River, Lofton Creek and St. Augustine Beach.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Farres and Helen Higginbotham and in-laws, Willie and Lula Mae Parker, as well as several close family members. He is survived by his wife, Mildred; his daughter, Sandra Giles (Mike); siblings, Shirley Perret (“Punk”), Jimmy Higginbotham (Carol), Patricia Conner and Janet Conner; four beautiful granddaughters, Blair Harris (Mike), Brooke Carr (Austin), Katie Giles and Haylie Whittenburg (Zack). Edsel’s greatest joy was found as a great-grandfather to four great-grandsons, Lawson, Parker, Grady and Tucker.
Visitation was held at First Baptist Church of Callahan on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017 from 6-8 p.m. and funeral services were at First Baptist Church of Callahan on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017 at 11 a.m. Interment was in Keen Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Scott Perret, Gerald Perret, Johnny Perret, Jeff Godbee, Scott Barrett, Jimmy Magill, John Keen and Wesley Peacock. Honorary pallbearers were Bill Spencer, Donnie Kirkland, Buddy Conner, Dan Conner and William Cook. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Edsel’s memory can be made to First Baptist Church of Callahan’s missions fund.
Condolences may be expressed by signing the guest book at www.nassaufh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Nassau Funeral Home, 541720 U.S. 1, Callahan, 879-1770.