Ethel Derouen Higginbotham

Ethel DeRouen Higginbotham, 93, departed this life and entered into eternal rest on Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Lake Charles, LA. She was born October 6, 1930, in Gueydan, LA, to Joseph and Nettie DeRouen. She was 1 of 7 siblings.

Ethel was a graduate of W.O. Boston High School and attended Southern University and later graduated from McNeese State University.

She began her work career with Dr. Murray Martin, M.D. as a secretary then at George Theriot grocery store. She also worked for the Calcasieu Parish School system in the classroom and later as Secretary at Washington High School under J. D. Clifton. From there she went to work for the City of Lake Charles in the Community Development Program, retired and returned as Director of the Summer Feeding Program.

She was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church and the original Sacred Heart Senior Choir. Ethel was a member of the ladies Auxiliary, St. Rita Court #31.

Ethel was a loving and caring person that never met a stranger. She enjoyed family gatherings, bingo, cooking, and baking goodies for her family and friends and most importantly talking about her children.

Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Lorraine Holmes, Steve Higginbotham, Jr.(Chere’), Darrell Higginbotham, Sr. (Daphne), and Tyrone Higginbotham; daughter-in-law, Sylvia Higginbotham; her sisters, Evelyn Jones (Edward deceased) and Elosia Stratton (Leroy); brother Leroy DeRouen (Theresa deceased); 13 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren, 10 great great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Nettie DeRouen; her beloved husband, Steve Higginbotham, Sr., her two brothers, Jessie and Harold DeRouen, her great grandson, Dylan Higginbotham and great granddaughter, Gracelynn Higginbotham.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 A.M. on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, located at 610 Louisiana Avenue. Rev. Fr. Joby Matthew, Pastor, will serve as Celebrant. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will begin Saturday at 9:00 A.M. at Johnson Funeral Home, located at 4321 Lake Street, and continue until leaving in procession to the church at 11:00 A.M. The rosary will be recited at 10:00 A.M.

Pallbearers for her service will be Darrell Higginbotham Jr., Quardale Berard Sr., Keith Higginbotham, Damon Higginbotham, Isaiah Jones, and Troy DeRouen. Honorary pallbearers are Bryan Higginbotham, Joseph DeRouen, Carl DeRouen, Rodney DeRouen, Donald DeRouen, and Scotty DeRouen.

Although our hearts are greatly saddened with the loss of our beloved Ethel, we are comforted in knowing that we have a strong circle of loving family and friends in our presence. We are overwhelmed with all the loving expressions, words of comfort, prayers, food, cards, flowers, phone calls and other methods of concern. May the Lord Bless and keep each of you in his loving care.

The family would like to give a special thanks to Father Joby Matthew, Pastor, to the nurses on 5th Hall, Brighton Bridge Hospice (Sandy), Volunteer Coordinator Emily Henry, Bettye “Liz” Tousaint, Sandra & Anthony Jones, Cheryl Riley, Rev. Deacon Errol Deville, Velvet Burrell, Vanessa Berard, Wade Carlin and Wanda Jacob.

Repass immediately following graveside services at: The Foundation House, 720 Enterprise Blvd.