CHESTER, W.V. (BNc) by Steve Higginbotham — Frank Higginbotham passed from this life at his home Friday, Sept. 27, and was ushered into eternity.
There may not be a more recognized name among gospel preachers in the Ohio Valley than the name of Frank Higginbotham. Frank spent his entire life preaching in the state of West Virginia. For 60 years he preached in the Ohio Valley.
Frank Higginbotham was born in New Martinsville, W.V., on Feb. 21, 1933, and graduated in 1951 from Magnolia High School. He then graduated from Florida Christian College in 1953.
Upon graduating from college, he returned to West Virginia and preached with the Columbia Street church in Fairmont, the Wellsburg congregation, the West Street church in Weirton, and the Virginia Avenue church in Chester, where he had been located for the past 50 years.
For more 40 years Frank hosted a daily, 15-minute radio program on WOHI that he called “Bible Meditations.”
He also conducted hundreds of gospel meetings through the years and spoke on countless lectureship programs across the country.
Frank was also known for his use of visual aids in his preaching. He rarely preached without visual aids, from the time of sheet sermons, to the use of the overhead projector sermons and PowerPoint. He had the unique ability to present his sermons in a way that they could be understood, and remembered.
Frank Higginbotham was a preacher’s preacher. He was constantly encouraging others to preach the gospel. The congregation in Chester, where he preached for 50 years, produced more than a couple dozen men who decided to dedicate their lives to preaching the gospel. That was largely due to his influence and encouragement.
More than 50 gospel preachers were present at his funeral, which is a testimony to the encouragement he gave to his fellow preachers.
The late Johnny Ramsey once said of Frank Higginbotham that in his estimation, he was the greatest preacher in the brotherhood. He will certainly be missed.
Surviving Frank Higginbotham is his wife, Rose Marie King Higginbotham, whom he married on June 7, 1954.
He is also survived by his daughter Janie Gallagher and her husband Brent, of Fairmont, W.V., and son Steve Higginbotham and his wife Kim, of Knoxville, Tenn.
There are seven grandchildren, Ryan Gallagher (Kay), Amy Saunders (Chris), Jason Gallagher, Kelli Boitnott (Justin), Michael, Matthew and Anne Marie Higginbotham; and his four great-grandchildren, Ava, Noah and Sara Kate Gallagher, and Amelia Saunders. A sister Nita Faye Leach (Norman) lives in Moundsville, W.V.
Daughter Donna Higginbotham preceded her father in death in 1965.
Frank’s last sermon is posted at this link.
2013-10-02 at 1:03 pm
Gone homw to live with God.
2013-10-02 at 2:58 pm
What better testimony of a man’s than to be a faithful to the Lord and what an inspiring man that has nurtured and encouraged so many in their Christian walk in life and for all the young men that has followed his example in serving the Lord through His ministry. I know the Lord has welcomed him with much rejoicing.
2013-10-02 at 3:25 pm
Steve, how wonderful and true are your father’s words in his last sermon. My father preached for 50 years for a small congregation in Flordia. His last sermon was also just two weeks before his passing. Oh, how I wish I had a copy of his last sermon.
2013-10-03 at 1:55 am
I am greatly grieved to loose a best rated preacher in the brotherhood. I wish he had visited Africa and particularly our church! We meet in eternity when our saviour comes to take us home
2013-10-25 at 6:15 am
He goes to be with Fred Dennis and T.J. Martin both of whom spent many many years in the Ohio valley.
2014-10-09 at 5:45 pm
My grandparents and the Adams family of upper WVA grew up with the Martin’s and brother Fred was just one of the long line of great men to come out of that state or to work in it.