Patsy Virginia Phillips Higginbotham

Patsy Virginia Phillips Higginbotham, 99, of Afton passed away on Monday, September 15, 2025 at River Edge Rehab and Nursing Home in Waynesboro, following a short illness.

She was born March 7, 1926 the youngest of the 11 children of John Bailey and Sallie Rittenhouse Phillips of Glenthorne in Nellysford.

In addition to her parents, Patsy was preceded in death by her husband, Fred E. Higginbotham; brothers, John, Joe, Zach, Juddy, and Freddie Phillips; sisters, Ruby Eisinger, Annie Clark, Elizabeth Lyborger, Louise Wade, and Dorothy Revercomb; all of her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, and over a dozen nieces and nephews.

She is survived by her daughter and only child, Bettina Higginbotham (Larry Loving) of Afton; grandsons, Grant Rose of Woodbridge and Darren Rose of Charlottesville and numerous nieces and nephews.

Patsy was a teacher for 27 years at Rockfish Valley Elementary School with 26 of those years being in 3rd grade. She was the last surviving member of the Rockfish Valley High School graduating class of 1943. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in 1973 from Madison College after attending summer classes for 8 straight years while teaching 3rd grade on a teaching certificate during the regular school term.

Patsy was a talented seamstress, knitter, artist, and an avid cat fancier. She donated to multiple charities, in particular the VFW in honor of Fred’s military service. She was a friend to many, a stranger to none, and most of all a very loving and devoted grandma.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, September 22, 2025 at the Rockfish Valley Baptist Church and will be officiated by Pastors Adam Meredith and Billy Coffey, with eulogy delivered by Grant Rose.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Arrangements by Wells/Sheffield Funeral Chapel, Lovingston (434-263-4097).