Josephine “Jo” Higginbotham, 90, passed away in Rogers, Arkansas on March 26, 2026, during a beautiful sunset, with her daughter Nelly, son Matthew, and granddaughter Anastasia at her side. She will be greatly missed by her entire family, all of whom she cherished and loved from the bottom of her heart. She was our anchor, our living light. 

Jo drew people from all walks of life to her like a magnet with her kind spirit, joy of daily life, eternal positivity, radiant charm, and astute mind. She wanted to know people and what made them tick — from the young to the old. She cared deeply for others and, in turn, people cared deeply for her. Many of the staff at her nursing home shared sweet stories about Jo, who kept her sharp mind to the end. She meant so much to so many. 

Born an only child to Arch and Josephine Hackett during the Dust Bowl days of 1935 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Jo excelled at Holland Hall School on scholarship and ran day camps during summers to put herself through Smith College, where she earned a B.A. in English. She often said that if she stayed in Tulsa she would have become mayor; she harbored political aspirations and could talk politics throughout her life. She had no tolerance for self-serving politicians. 

In 1958 Jo married Don Higginbotham, an architect, in Tulsa, OK and soon after the newlyweds moved to Colorado Springs, CO where Jo spent most of her adult life. She taught at the U.S. Air Force Academy, earned a Master’s in Education from the University of Denver, and returned briefly to Tulsa (1973–1975) to teach English and drama at Holland Hall School. In 1975 she moved back to Colorado Springs with her three children to reunite with Don. Jo was a teacher at heart, always devising activities for her children and grandchildren, instilling a deep love of art, creativity and whimsy. 

She spearheaded the Children’s Film Festival at The Fine Arts Center in 1969–70, bringing films such as The Red Balloon and Skinny and Fatty. Jo directed five children’s, summer day camps in Colorado Springs and Woodmoor, organizing, planning and directing them herself; many adults still remember attending. She had a Pied Piper way with children, believing every child could succeed and feel good about themselves. 

Jo’s community vision also extended to the elderly: in 1990 she implemented an intergenerational center called Care Castle in Colorado Springs next to a daycare, where seniors could volunteer to be with young children — an innovative idea at the time. She received multiple honors for her years of service, including Mother of the Year Award (1987), two Community Service Awards (1991), and the Silver Bell Award (1992). Jo was a “mover and shaker” in Colorado Springs: a founder/director of the Pikes Peak Arts Council, president of the Fine Arts Center Volunteer Members Association, founder/director of Theatre For Young People and the Colorado Springs Performing Arts for Youth (PAYO), and a board member of the Symphony Guild, Pikes Peak Seniors, Friends of the Library, Cheyenne Village, El Paso County Red Cross, and others. Jo’s heart was big and generous, and as she said, “I wanted to do it all,” which she largely did. 

In 1986 Jo traveled alone to India, working with Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, then to Nepal, where she spent time with the poor — life-altering experiences she shared through her photography and talks after returning home. In the 1990s she created complex audio-visual shows combining photography, arranged music, and interviews; she earned two bronze medals at the International Audio Visual Festival for shows honoring her church and a beloved school superintendent. Jo also produced commemorative multimedia shows for her family’s milestones and events. 

Jo’s deep consideration for others was infinite; she lived the word “love” as both noun and verb. “Be it and do it” guided her life, as she gave generously of her time, energy, and creativity. As an only child, she honored her parents with unwavering devotion; as a mother and grandmother, she extended that same devotion to her children and grandchildren - her care, warmth, and support undeniable, even in the midst of a full and busy life. 

Further memories of Jo include her enthusiasm for Labrador retrievers — participating in field trials and raising three litters of lab puppies; a bucket-list trip to the Kentucky Derby with her 95-year-old mother; a year in New York City working on foreign policy at the United Nations after Smith College; surviving breast cancer in her 60s; architecturally remodeling a house in the Frank Lloyd Wright tradition; masterful home-decorating skills; a substantial and eclectic art collection; a love of Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond and Johnny Cash music; founding membership in Crystal Bridges Museum; always filling her beloved bird feeders, a natural passion for photography, walking, swimming, fishing, and in her final years, a particular fondness for tiramisu, rum raisin ice cream, and having her back scratched. It’s easy to remember Jo - giving a cute thumbs-up, wearing her signature red lipstick, with a sweet smile and bright eyes. 

Jo was a proud citizen of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma, great granddaughter of Montford T. Johnson known as The Chickasaw Rancher. 

She is survived by her three children: Nelly Higginbotham of Hotchkiss, CO, Matthew Higginbotham of Santa Fe, NM, and Mary Higginbotham of Corvallis, OR; and by her grandchildren Hanna Bradbury (Fernando Gomes) of Paonia, CO; Teo Bradbury of Gunnison, CO; and Anastasia Higginbotham of Hiwasse, AR. She was preceded in death by her parents, Arch and Josephine Johnson Hackett, and by her loving husband, Donald L. Higginbotham. 

Memorial gifts in Jo’s name may be made to Circle of Life, 901 Jones Rd, Springdale, AR 72762 — or online at www.GiveToCircle.org.