Individual Details

Daughter Ola thought her name was Louisa Vilata; son Fonnie's descendants believed her name to be Viola. Earl Higginbotham revealed that her name was actually Louisa Violetta; she was called "Vi".

State of birth given as Texas in 1920 Census with parents both born in Alabama. She was living with Alfonzo & Bertha & Bertha's parents were both born in Alabama. Fonnie also gives his mother's place of birth as Texas although Ola gives it as Louisiana in the same census. Higginbotham research reveals her birthplace as Winn Parish, Louisiana.

There is a discrepancy in the year of her birth. 1910 Census - born 1865; 1920 Census - born 1866. Higginbotham researcher gives year of birth as 1863. Letter from daughter Ola which Lois Haden had gives year as 1868, as does the obituary in the newspaper.

In 1880, Viletta Higginbotham lived with her brother William at Willow Springs in Henderson, TX; Thomas & Willis were also there. Their father was living with their sister Martha Montgomery in Collin Co - their mother apparently deceased. Hh 161
W. L. Higginbothan, age 35, b. LA, parents b. AL
Francis M., female, age 30
Thomas H., age 18, brother
Viletta, 16, sister
Willis G., 15, brother


In 1900, she is listed as "Violetta", but says she was born in Texas, parents born in MS.

1910 Census "Luiza V. Fry", head of household. Stated she owned home. Alphonso & Carrie still at home; Ola just married. Living with them is Fanny Higginbotom [sic], sister, age 67. The sisters listed as born in Louisiana, father born in Alabama, mother born in Georgia. They are nearly 25 years apart in age.

1920 Fannin Co Census: Viola Fry lived with Alfonzo and wife Bertha.

I have not discovered her gravesite - perhaps her grave is unmarked, although a copy of an obituary on FindAGrave states she is buried in the "local cemetery" which would be Ladonia Cemetery and I have been there several times. She isn't buried with her Fry husband, his first wife and some of his children unless her grave is unmarked.

From FindAGrave #246796053 is the following newspaper clipping, unidentifed by date or place, but likely early July, 1928, The Ladonia News.
DEATH CLAIMS LADONIA WOMAN
Many Ladonia people, as well as elsewhere, were pained to learn of the death of Mrs. W. W. Fry who died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Gany Dillard in the south part of town last Saturday at 1:00 pm, having been in ill health for some time, death resulting from pellagra.
She was born July 18, 1868 in Louisana and was nearing her 60th birthday when claimed by death.
She was married to W. W. Fry, October 4, 1888 and had lived in this section since that time, her husband having passaway Dec. 17, 1901, living on the old home place south of town. The past few years she had resided with her daughter. Thus for more than forty years she had made this her home and had seen many wonderful changes take place in this section.
Funeral services were held at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Gany Dillard, Sunday afternoon at 3:00 o'clock, the service being conducted by Rev. L. G. Hagard, pastor of the Methodist church, assisted by Rev. B. Broome, pastor of the Baptist church. She was a member of the Methodist Church and had been a number of years. Interment was in the local cemetery.
She leaves three children to mourn her death as follows. Alfonso Fry, Breckenridge; Mrs. Gany Dillard, Ladonia; and Mrs. J. F. Pippen, Bonham.
Deceased was a good woman and neighbor and her death has brought sadness not only to her relatives but to her many friends who knew and loved her.
The News joins the numerous friends in extending sympathy to the bereaved children in the death of their mother.


Found in Fannin County Cemeteries: Charles Higginbotham 1866-1906 Maggie Higginbotham 1872-1898. Relationship, if any, unknown.
Old Higginbotham cemetery has Thomas Higginbotham d. 1862 and Grace d. 1869. Thomas was the 6th son of Moses and Betsey (Garrison) Higginbotham of Tazewell Co. VA. Grace did not die on that date - that's approximately the time she left Texas with her children and moved to Newton Co MO per Earl Higginbotham. Seems to be just a coincidence that Higginbothams from other family lines also were in Fannin Co.

Birth	15 Jul 1868	Winn Parish, Louisiana
Marriage	4 Oct 1888	Fannin County, Texas - WILLIAM WALLACE FRY
Death	30 Jun 1928	Ladonia, Fannin County, Texas

Spouse	WILLIAM WALLACE FRY (1830 - 1901)
Child	Alphonzo "Fonnie" Fry (1891 - 1948)
Child	Viola "Ola" Fry (1894 - 1986)
Child	CARRIE DOVE FRY (1896 - 1968)

Father	THOMAS HIGGINBOTHAM (1820 - 1880)
Mother	LOUISA McGOWAN (1830 - 1870)
Sibling	Frances M. "Fannie" Higginbotham (1846 - )
Sibling	James Jackson "Jack" Higginbotham (1848 - 1917)
Sibling	William Leroy Higginbotham (1850 - 1920)
Sibling	Mary Higginbotham (1853 - 1882)
Sibling	Martha Elizabeth Higginbotham (1857 - 1931)
Sibling	Thomas Higginbotham (1859 - )
Sibling	Willis Gibson Higginbotham (1864 - )