On April 17, 2013, Helen M. Higginbotham, 84, long time resident of Canton went to be with her Lord and to be reunited with her husband JC Higginbotham and loved ones. She was born September 26, 1928 in Kemper County, Mississippi to the late Clyde and Emma (Simmons). Helen married JC Higginbotham on August 1, 1947 after his honorable discharge from the Marines. In 1950, they made their home in Hartville where she worked at Isley and IGA. Helen also worked at the Myers Lake IGA. Her loved ones were often told of the memories she had working and the people that she had met. She was an original member of the Hartville Apostolic Gospel Church where she served on the Ladies Auxiliary Group. Helen was always devoted to her entire family and was a loving wife, mother and Nana. She was very patriotic and always made sure an American flag was on display in the yard. One of her favorite past times was sharing orange slices and hitting balloons with her youngest great-grandson, Lucas. Lucas was able to bring a smile to her face and laughter to her life. Lucas, would yell, "Get it, Nana!" and she would laugh as he expected her to jump out of her chair and hit the balloons. If you ever needed to know anything about flowers, birds, cooking or recipes, Helen was the one you could ask. When you came to Helen's home you could always count on having " real food" with ice tea. Helen learned to cook at a very young age and some of her specialties were biscuits, cornbread, chicken and dressing, Mississippi-mud cake, and of course a "mess" of turnip greens or other vegetables. She was a wonderful southern cook." If you leave hungry, its your own fault!" would be words that you would hear often at her home after a meal. Nana, as she was affectionately called by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, reminded them always how proud she and Papa were of their many accomplishments. She would often strike up conversations with strangers telling them about ALL of her youngins". She would talk about how wonderful her son, daughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were. Helen spoke fondly of her entire family including relatives she might not see on daily basis, but that were always close to her heart. Proceeded in death by her husband of 57 years, J.C. Higginbotham and 8 siblings, her sweet cat, Baby, and her grandchildren's dogs, Dakota and Dizzy all whom she loved dearly. Helen is survived by daughter Glenda Sellers and son Ronald Higginbotham; grandchildren Kirsten and Carlos Chavez, Donald II and Liz Sellers; great-grandchildren Trenton, Nicolas and Lucas Chavez; niece Joy Harris, nephew Lowell (Carolyn) Goodin and cousin Gladys Jackson, along with many other relatives and friends. Friends may call two hours prior to services Wednesday 12 p.m.-2 p.m. in the Arnold Funeral Home Hartville. Funeral services will be in the funeral home at 2 p.m. with Pastor Marvin Thomas officiating. Final resting place is Mount Peace Cemetery. (Arnold-Hartville 330-877-9364) www.arnoldfuneralhome.com