Guidry Funeral Home, Inc.
219 N. Broadway; Church Point, La. 70525
Phone: (337) 684-5488; Fax: (337) 684-5489
Church Point, La. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, July12, 2011 at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Church Point for Jiles Paul Higginbotham, 32. Mr. Higginbotham, a native and life-long resident of Church Point, died at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, July 9 at Lafayette General Medical Center; Lafayette, La. Monsignor Jefferson J. DeBlanc will conduct the services with interment following in the Monsignor Bienvenu Cemetery on Highway 35 north of Church Point.

Survivors include his mother, Desiree Higginbotham of Church Point; his wife and daughter, Claire Gianfala Higginbotham and Gianna Higginbotham of Church Point; a sister, Heather Higginbotham Lyons of Church Point; his father and mother-in-law, Bill and Bridget Gianfala; his beloved grandmother-in-law, Terry Gianfala of Church Point and his niece and nephews: Abby, Jack and Liam Gianfala and Lucas, Logan and Matthew Lyons.
He was preceded in death by his father, Randy Higginbotham; his grandparents, Carol and Marie Thibodeaux and Filton and Irene Higginbotham and an uncle, Rhett Thibodeaux.

The family requested that visiting hours be observed from 10:00 A.M. until 9:00 P.M. on Monday, July 11 and continue from 8:00 A.M. Tuesday until the time of the services. A recitation of the Rosary will be held at 7:00 P.M. on Monday by Monsignor DeBlanc.

It is a very sad day for the world has lost the kindest, most patient , loving and respectful man, Jiles Paul Higginbotham. Jiles always had a smile that could light up the darkest of forests, a smile that could lift anyone's spirit. When in his presence, it was impossible to be sad. Jiles was a family man who lived a simple life. A loyal friend he was. Fishing with "Pop" in Toledo Bend was his favorite place to be and he always seemed to exaggerate the size of his catch. He just witnessed the birth of his first child, a daughter, Gianna. That was the best day of his life. He described her as "a present he never had before, a gift that he never knew he always wanted." He never wanted to let her out of his arms. She was, indeed, the light of his life and now his legacy lives on through her. Jiles loved life and after the birth of his daughter, he said "I have never in my life experienced such pure joy and happiness." He sang to her every night and wanted to teach her everything he knew.
He will truly be missed by so many, especially those who were closest to him. His love and loyalty to his family and friends was so strong and we must all go on, brokenhearted. A part of us died with him that day, yet he lives on through us, through our memories. His life was entirely too short but extremely full and meaningful. One breath at a time is how we must all go on. Despite this dark hour, Jiles would want to remind us all that life is worth living to the fullest and forgiveness is key to a peaceful life.
"And as he said to me, 'GOD is NOT MEAN, GOD is, indeed, KIND.' I will truly miss you my king; love you more, Claire."