Rita Burnett Higbee, born in Baldwin County, Alabama, on Mar. 24, 1935, to Caulia and Dora Williamson Burnett, passed to Heavenly peace on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, after a long illness.
Rita is preceded in death by her parents, her sister, three brothers, and her husband, Richard Higbee, to whom she was married to for 66 years, until his death in 2019.
She is survived by her daughters, Linda Smith (Bobby) and Patricia Hawthorne (George); son, Richard Scott Higbee; her grandchildren, Richard Skinner Smith (Page), Catherine Collins “Cece” Smith, Jennie Hawthorne Nelson (Noah), and Margaret Lee Hawthorne; six great-grandchildren, Hollins Higbee, Skinner, Redford, and Sterling Smith, Jane Collins Cauthen, and Andrew Nelson; along with other family members and friends from a long and full life.
Rita was active in her church and other civic and social organizations, but her most notable accomplishment was her almost thirty-year ownership of Bay Boutique in Battles Wharf. The shop was known far and wide as a place of hospitality and where one could buy beautiful and elegant clothing. Rita took much delight in finding the perfect thing for ladies to wear to whatever the occasion may be.
A private family burial will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Belford Cemetery Association, 11244 Garrett Road, Daphne, Alabama 36526 or to a charity of your choosing.
Expressions of condolences for the family may be made at www.hughesfh.com. Hughes Funeral Home, 26209 Pollard Road, Daphne, Alabama, is assisting the family.
