Margaret Hooper Higbee

On her 84^th birthday, June 8, 2024, Margaret Elizabeth Hooper Higbee, longtime former resident of Homerville and resident of Valdosta since June of 2022, passed away peacefully, attended to by her son and daughter-in-law after a valiant battle with cancer. Margaret was born on June 8, 1940, in Winter Haven, FL.

Margaret graduated as a proud Dreadnaught from Lakeland High School in Lakeland, FL in 1958. She attended the University of Florida where she met her husband, Paul.  Her time at UF fashioned her into a lifelong Gator fan. Her love of learning persisted and led her to study at multiple other colleges.

Through Paul’s 20 years of service in the United States Air Force, Margaret extensively traveled the United States and Europe, seeing sights as diverse as the Grand Canyon, the Louvre, the Berlin Wall, and Iceland.  Upon settling down in Homerville, she became part of the community’s fabric through the Homerville United Methodist Church, taught the Seekers/Susanna Wesley adult Sunday School class for more than a decade, and worked at Brockway Standard for over 20 years.   Her other interests included being an avid bridge player, participating in the local Red Hat Society, and watching Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, and reruns of The Virginian.  

Margaret loved music and played the piano and organ for her church for over 40 years.  She was also a devoted Elvis fan and saw him live on his first nationwide tour.  Her attributes included excellent listening and storytelling skills, a calm, level head, and an elegant and unique sense of style.  To her friends and family she was a source of sage advice and a loyal confidante.

She is preceded by her father Howard O. Hooper, her mother Rita Johnson Hooper and her husband of 62 years, Paul Norris Higbee, Sr. She is survived by her son Paul “PJ” Higbee, Jr. and daughter-in-law Wendy Kirbo Higbee, her granddaughter Madison Higbee, her sister-in-law Marie Moore, her niece Michele Simmons, her nephew-in-law John Simmons, and her grandnephew Kenneth Simmons.

A viewing will be held Friday, June 14, 2024, from 9:30-10:30am at Roundtree Funeral Home, 240 E Dame Ave, Homerville, GA 31634, followed by the graveside service at 11am at North Cemetery in Dupont, GA. Homerville United Methodist Church’s Reverend Joseph Carter will speak at the graveside. 

Active pallbearers will be Eric Lutz, Len Robbins, Steven Bush, Phil Martin, David Tolle, and Jason Bell.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Homerville United Methodist Church (202 S Church St, Homerville, GA 31634) or a charity of your choice.

Sympathy may be expressed online at www.roundtreefuneralhome.net.

Roundtree Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.