Local Obituaries for Higginbotham Funeral Home - Cross Plains

Jun 29, 2026

With hearts full of gratitude and sorrow we announce the passing of our beloved mother and memaw, Vera Joyce Lovell, who took her final breaths surrounded by her loving family on June 29, 2026, at the age of 77.

Joyce was born to LB and Florence Boyd Howard February 20, 1949. She graduated from Baird High School where she met her...

Jun 29, 2026

Cecil Lee Creamer left his worldly body and rejoiced with the Lord on June 29th, 2026. Lee was born on April 9th, 1960, to Jeannette Sue Creamer (Stroud) and Forrest Grady Creamer in Lawton, Oklahoma. He always asked nobody to hold the Oklahoma thing against him; he got to Texas as quickly as he could.

He graduated from Cross Plains High...

Jun 24, 2026

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Rondal Earl "Ron" Bell, who entered his eternal home on June 24, 2026, at the age of 80.

Ron was born on September 20, 1945, in Baird, Texas, to Charlie and Jeffie Bell, who preceded him in death. He proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War, a...

Jun 16, 2026

In Loving Memory Jo Ann (Montgomery) 

Ringhoffer December 9, 1936 – June 16, 2026

"Well done, good and faithful servant." — Matthew 25:23

Jo Ann (Montgomery) Ringhoffer entered the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on June 16, 2026, at the age of 89. Born in Cross Plains, Texas, to Loyd Lester Montgomery and Cassie (Wright) Montgomery, Jo Ann lived a...

May 17, 2026

May 2, 2026

Lena Dell Gage, a cherished mother and grandmother, will leave a profound void in the hearts of all who knew her as she passed away on May 2, 2026, just one day before her 101st birthday. Born on May 3, 1925, in Rising Star, Texas, to William H. Ware and Louisa White-Ware, Lena's journey through life was marked by love,...

Apr 30, 2026

Franklin “Frank” Samuel Hagy, 71, of Texas, passed away peacefully at his home on April 30, 2026.

Frank lived life on his own terms and left a lasting mark on everyone fortunate enough to know him. A true friend, beloved brother, and cherished uncle, he was the kind of man who would give you the shirt off his back without hesitation....

Apr 18, 2026

Burlie Wayne Taylor, Sr., age 90, of Lampasas, Texas, passed away peacefully on April 18, 2026.

Burlie was born on October 7, 1935, in Slaton, Texas, to Burlie Franklin Taylor and Lula Lee Taylor, who preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Jack Taylor, and by his beloved wife of 66 years, Geraldine Ramsey Taylor.

Burlie...

Apr 10, 2026

Martha Jo Bailey, beloved mother, grandmother, and neighbor, passed away on April 10, 2026, at the age of 92. Born and raised in Rising Star, Texas, Martha lived a life defined by warmth, generosity, and an open door for anyone who needed it.

A proud and devoted homemaker, Martha had a gift for making people feel welcome. Though gentle and soft-spoken...

Apr 2, 2026

Gaylon Lynn Fergason, 60, of Bossier City, Louisiana, passed away on

April 2, 2026 in Christus Highland Medical Center, Shreveport, LA.

Gaylon was born June 28, 1965, in Stamford, Texas, to Oliver David (Dave) and Oleta Lucille (Frazier) Fergason.

He attended school in Denver City, Texas, graduating with the Class of 1983.

Gaylon loved attending family reunions each year and keeping a strong bond...

Mar 26, 2026

Ralph Lawrence Preston Jr., 60, of Cross Plains, Texas, sadly passed away on March 26, 2026. Born on October 26, 1965, in Rock Island, Illinois, Ralph was the son of Ralph Lawrence Preston Sr. and Madalynn Joy (Schoolen) Preston.

Ralph was a true cowboy at heart and a dedicated family man. He poured his love and hard work into everything he...

Mar 6, 2026

Joy Dillard was born on March 20, 1933, and passed peacefully to her heavenly home on March 6, 2026, at the Rising Star Nursing Center.

She was just shy of her 93rd birthday.

She was born to Roy and Ruby Rutledge. She was the youngest of 10 children. Sisters were Edna, Lois, Gal, Frances and brothers were Elmo (Jiggs), Elwood (Mutt), Lee,...

Feb 11, 2026

Ruth Ellen Applin was born on March 27, 1939, and went to her heavenly home on February 11, 2026, at the Rising Star Nursing Center. Ruth was a graduate of Cross Plains High School and Howard Payne University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry.

Ruth had a deep and abiding faith in God and a profound love for...

Feb 6, 2026

Eddie Joe Strickland passed away on Friday, February 6, 2026, surrounded by the love and legacy of a life defined by hard work, sacrifice, and family. He was a man of strength, integrity, and unwavering dedication to those he loved.

Eddie was born to Thomas Henry Strickland and Ollie L Zirkle Strickland. He was preceded in death by his parents; his...

Feb 3, 2026

Johnny Frank Owen, age 74, of Rising Star, Texas, peacefully left this world on February 3, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family. Born on October 10, 1951, in Gorman, Texas, he was the cherished son of L.T. Owen and Josie Hogan-Owen. After graduating from Rising Star High School, Johnny attended Cisco Junior College, where he pursued his passions. 

A...

Feb 2, 2026

Lela Ann Higginbottom, age 85, passed away peacefully on February 2, 2026, in Abilene, Texas, surrounded by her family. Funeral services will be held at

Ann was born in Gorman, Texas on April 16, 1940. She was the seventh child of Bernice and Owen Mangum, Sr. Ann grew up in the Kokomo community and Carbon, Texas. She was the valedictorian of...

Jan 2, 2026

Jimmy Dwight McCowen, 74, of May, Texas, passed away peacefully on January 2, 2026, in Brownwood, Texas. Born on August 21, 1951, in Gorman, Texas, he was the son of James Vincent McCowen and Ida Hubbard-McCowen. Jimmy was a devoted husband, married for 55 wonderful years to Pam (Anderson) McCowen, who has been by his side through it all.

Jimmy graduated...

Nov 29, 2025

Wanda Fae Walker, 82, of Cross Plains, passed away on November 29, 2025, in Comanche, Texas, at Legacy Estate Long Term Care after a long period of illness, during which she was lovingly cared for by her family at home.

Wanda was born in Hereford, Texas, and grew up in Texline, Texas. She met her husband, Glenard “Skeet” Walker, in Texline...

Nov 24, 2025

Robert “Dick” Koenig, a beloved patriarch and pillar of the community, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday November 24th, 2025 at his home in Burkett, Texas, surrounded by generations of his loved ones.

He was born to loving parents Alfred John and Cora Belle Koenig on January 7, 1936 in Coleman, Texas. Dick was a bright student...

Nov 15, 2025

We are saddened to announce the passing of Sarah Frances Chamberlain, who left us on November 15, 2025, at the age of 83. Sarah was born on May 4, 1942, in Call, Texas, to William Roland Dodson and Maudie Lee (Wilson) Dodson. 

She married her beloved husband, Charles E. "Red" Chamberlain, on October 18, 1958, in Kirbyville, Texas. Throughout her life,...