Church Point, LA: Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 PM Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Church Point, LA for Joyce T. “Ma Joyce” Higginbotham, 91, the former Joyce Ann Thibodeaux. Mrs. Higginbotham, a long-time resident of Church Point, died Sunday afternoon, May 3 at Acadia-St. Landry Nursing and Rehab. Visitation will be held at Guidry Funeral Home from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM Tuesday, May 5 and continue from 8:00 AM Wednesday until the time of the Services. A Rosary will be recited at 6:30 PM Tuesday by Deacon Byrne Winn. Fr. Michael Vidrine, Parochial Vicar of the Church, will conduct the Services with Interment immediately following in the St. Edmund Cemetery in Branch, LA.

Survivors include her companion, Jimmy Thibodeaux of Church Point; her daughters, Christine Beslin and husband Matthew and Lynette Higginbotham and companion Dexter Barousse-all of Rayne, LA; her sons, Raphael “Ray” Higginbotham and wife Kerry of Vidrine, LA, Dennis Higginbotham and wife Jeanette of Youngsville, LA, Gerard “Jerry” Higginbotham and wife Carolyn of Lafayette, LA and Michael Higginbotham and wife Kristi of Carlyss, LA; 13 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Berlin Higginbotham; her parents, Ardus and Virginia Savoy Thibodeaux and a son, Thomas Higginbotham.

Well-known in the area, Mrs. Higginbotham was the owner operator of “Ma Joyce’s Daycare” for a number of years. A loving wife, mother and grandmother, she was truly loved and will be missed by her extended family and all who knew her.

Arrangements are being handled by Guidry Funeral Home, Inc.; 219 N. Broadway, Church Point, LA.