Karen Ann Kitchings Higginbotham, 66, of Brandon was called home by her Lord and Savior on December 9, 2022.  She was born in Dallas, Texas on January 30, 1956 to Dr. Harold T. Kitchings and Ann Overstreet Kitchings.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Kathy Kitchings Nowell.

She is survived by her husband of 15 years, James Anthony Higginbotham; her sons, Arthur Neil Hitchcock, Jr. "Jay" and his wife Randa and Robert Blake Hitchcock and his wife Lindsey; her two stepdaughters, Amber Michelle Higginbotham and Brittney Elizabeth Higginbotham; her grandchildren, Bailey Claire Hitchcock, Kennedy Leigh Hitchcock, Skylar Marie Demick, Mary Adley Hitchcock, and twins, Anna Katherine and Stetson Blake Hitchcock expected in March of 2023.  One brother, Dr. Harold "Hal" Kitchings and his wife Kellie.

Karen graduated from Kosciusko High School, and she attended Mississippi College and graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Kiki, as she was called by her grandchildren, was a strong woman of faith.  She offered acceptance without judgement to everyone she met.  She was known for her eccentric personality, her love of crazy costumes and was the first person to be on the dance floor.

In her 25 years of teaching, she enjoyed participating in gifted problem solving competitions.  This included two teams of students going to Odyssey of the Mind and Future Problem Solving World Competitions.

She was an active member of Pinelake Church where she made a recommitment of her faith by baptism in 2020. Kiki loved Jesus with all her heart. As an educator she would not hesitate to witness for Jesus to her students. She would witness about Jesus at every opportunity when it presented itself. She was unashamed to say she loved Jesus and not afraid to say so.

She always had a beautiful smile, loving heart and always tried to live by the code "WWJD" What Would Jesus Do. She was a rock to some and had a huge forgiving heart. She was the epitome of a Christian.