Velma Higginbotham
Velma May (Cohagan) Higginbotham, of Nashport, Ohio, went home to her Heavenly Father on April 21, 2026, at AdventHealth in Daytona Beach, Florida, after suffering a stroke earlier in the month.
Velma was born on July 18, 1945, in Zanesville, Ohio, the daughter of Mary Mildred (Boyer) Cohagan.
She graduated from Zanesville High School in 1963 and went on to work alongside Dr. England, O.D., in his optometry office in Zanesville. There, she assisted with eye exams, made glasses, and fitted contact lenses. Velma also contributed to the development of a device used to remove hard contact lenses.
On October 26, 1975, she married Romeo Higginbotham at Central Trinity United Methodist Church in Zanesville, Ohio, after just four months of dating.
On January 19, 1978, Velma gave birth to a son. Though she had planned to return to work, she quickly fell in love with motherhood and chose to stay home. On October 2, 1981, she welcomed a daughter. Velma also always carried in her heart the loss of a third child through miscarriage.
While raising her children, Velma managed the bookkeeping for her husband’s business, Higginbotham, Inc. Following Romeo’s passing in 2002, she took over operation of the business.
Velma loved being a wife and mother. She was known for her lighthearted and optimistic spirit, as well as her ability to bring calm, reason, and peace to any situation. A certain light always shined within Velma—that light was her faith in Jesus.
Velma is survived by her son, Rome (Alissa) Higginbotham of Zanesville, Ohio, and their children, Ophelia, Charlie, Oliver, and Penelope; her daughter, Jessica (Adam) Murgittroyd of Palm Coast, Florida, and their children, Lyla, Colin, Hailey, and Zoyer; stepdaughter, Christine Howell of Coshocton; her sister, Mary Cohagan; a special niece, Heather (Tom) Bellerive, and their children, Corey, TJ, and Kalleena; a special nephew, Philip Lamb, Jr.; as well as several other nieces, nephews, and special friends, Sandy Thompson and Diana Calderon.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Mildred (Boyer) Cohagan; her husband, Romeo Jr. Higginbotham; her sisters, Carma Lamb, Betty Nave, and Martha VanReeth; her brothers, Dwight Cohagan and Frank Cohagan; and an infant brother.
Calling hours will be held at Bryan & Hardwick Funeral Home from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Friday, May 1, 2026, with a funeral service to follow promptly at 1:00 p.m. Burial will take place in Dresden Cemetery.
The Bryan & Hardwick Funeral Home, 2318 Maple Ave. Zanesville is in charge of the arrangements. To share memories and condolences with Velma’s family please visit www.BryanHardwickFH.com.
