Lela Ann Higginbottom

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 Carbon High School’s class of 1958. Ann was one of the best basketball players to ever play at Carbon High School, once scoring over 50 points in a single game. She was recruited by the Wayland Baptist Flying Queens Basketball Team but chose to stay closer to home. Ann attended Ranger College and graduated from McMurry College in 1962 with a degree in Elementary Education. She taught at Springlake Earth but spent the majority of her career teaching second grade at Cross Plains Elementary, where she was loved by many.

Ann married Lee Roy Higginbottom on January 23, 1962, in Eola, Texas, in a ceremony performed by Lesta Higginbottom. They spent most of their lives in the Cross Plains community, supporting their children in school activities.

Ann is survived by her children, Leesa Pyles and husband Jerry of Blackwell, Janna Lasly of Abilene, Nici Bearden and husband Branden of Round Rock, and Sean Higginbottom of Abilene. Her grandchildren, Colton Stamey of Sweetwater, Reese Lasley of Abilene, Lexi Deville and husband Jacob of Hathaway, Louisiana, Ayden Young, Addison Jones of Abilene and Imerald Anthony of Abilene, great-grandchildren, Lilly, Abby, Zoey, Ty, and Kohle Lasly, and one great-great grandson, Brooks Deville. She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Adalena Mangum and several nieces and nephews.

Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Lee Roy Higginbottom; parents, Bernice and Owen Mangum, Sr; In-laws, Thelma and Lesta Reed Higginbottom; sisters, Jean Burgett, Ramona Scott, Marjorie Green, and Sue Harbin; brothers, Owen Mangum, Jr. and Jim Mangum; and a grandson Tye.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 6, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Higginbotham Funeral Home Chapel, 309 N E 4th Street, Cross Plains, Texas. Burial will follow at Murray Memorial Cemetery, 17314 Hwy 6, Carbon, Texas. The family will have a time of visitation at the funeral home on Thursday, February 5, 2026, from 5:30 – 7:30 PM.