Community says “See Ya Later” to a very special friend

By Guest Columnist James David (JD) Wells

     On September 19, 2024, the Clinton community said “See Ya Later” to a very precious and dear friend. Hundreds of people came to Morrison Heights Baptist Church to see and pay respects to their friend one final time.

     Samuel Jason Higginbotham, or “Jay,” as he was known to most people, was born on February 21, 1977, in Durant, Mississippi, to Sammy and Shirley Higginbotham. The Higginbotham family moved to Clinton, Mississippi, in 1980. Jay attended Clinton Public Schools with his younger sister, Sonia.

     Because Jay was a special needs child, he attended “The Little White House,” located at the old Clinton Junior High School, and he graduated from there at the age of twenty-one. He was very fond of the many helpers who came through while he was there. He especially loved his teachers, Linda Shivers, Carol Ann Franklin, Ginger Wilson and Alfenette Robinson.

     As a kid, Jay loved doing things that many kids loved to do. He rode bikes with his sister and other friends on their street. He loved playing Nintendo. He played pretend “office” and “school” with his sister when they were young kids. Jay got very excited every time a weather forecaster would mention the possibility of snow in Mississippi.

     Jay enjoyed watching TV. Little House on the Prairie; CHiPs; Walker, Texas Ranger; MacGyver; and the Superman movies were some of his favorites. But Jay rarely missed an episode of General Hospital. That was his favorite. He could tell you everything about that show if you asked him.

     Jay had a passion for music, which started at a very early age. He could often be seen waving his baton while standing in his driveway, pretending to lead a choir in music. He loved music programs, especially ones done around Christmas and the 4^th of July.

     Jay attended Morrison Heights Baptist Church in Clinton. He was very active in his special needs Sunday School class, taught by Mr. and Mrs. Wooten, Barbara Winborne, Pam Thomason and Chris Purnell.

     Although he was a special needs person, this didn’t slow him down. What he lacked with reading and learning skills, he more than made up for with his social skills. He never met a stranger and would remember who you were the next time that you saw him. If you knew Jay, you knew not to give him your phone number, unless you were prepared to have him call and talk to you for a while.

     Jay loved everyone he met and loved to talk. He would often ask you the same question, over and over. It was just his way of communicating, even though he often knew the answer to his question before he asked it.

     When it came to loving people, no one better exemplified this than Jay. Dr. Greg Besler, senior pastor of Morrison Heights Baptist Church, described Jay as having the purest intentions in everything that he did.

     Long-time friend Mark McNeece shared this Bible verse with the family when he found out that Jay might be in his final days: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God,” Matthew 5:8. He said that this described Jay perfectly.

     Jay lit up whatever room he walked into. He had a contagious smile and an infectious laugh that was like none other. Even if someone made fun of him or said something mean to him, Jay never held it against that person. Jay forgave and loved unconditionally.

     Jay had many titles: son, grandson, nephew, brother, cousin, brother-in-law, uncle. But one title describes him better than these. It’s the title that he was most proud of.

     Jay Higginbotham was a friend.

     He wanted to be your friend and wanted you to be his. He showed us all what it meant to be a friend.

     Jay passed away peacefully at this home in the early morning hours of September 15, 2024, after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. In his final hours, he was surrounded by his parents, his sister and brother-in-law.

     Jay, we miss you and can’t wait to see you again one day soon.