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.


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 where she was buried - perhaps her grave is unmarked.


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 1863	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 - )