Veldon Olen Higginbotham, 86, of Sissonville, West Virginia, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on the morning of Wednesday, June 24, 2026 — a homecoming he had faithfully worked toward his entire life. Born August 14, 1939, in Sissonville, West Virginia, to Eunice Mangus and Ivan “Chick” Higginbotham, Veldon was also lovingly raised by his stepmother, Velma Higginbotham. He lived a life defined above all by his faith in Jesus Christ.
Anyone who had the privilege of knowing him understood how deeply his salvation meant to him. He walked very close to God and was forever sharing his faith, always ready to talk with others about being saved. He was a wonderful example of what a Christian man and husband should be. He taught his family how to love unconditionally, how to forgive, to never give up, and to always finish what they start. The lessons he and his beloved wife passed down will live on in every generation that follows.
Veldon proudly served his country in the United States Army for three years, stationed in Heidelberg, Germany. He carried that same sense of duty and devotion home with him for the rest of his life.
A devoted member of Rich Fork Baptist Church, Veldon poured himself into the life of his congregation. He taught Sunday School and faithfully served as deacon, treasurer, and clerk — giving his time, his wisdom, and his whole heart to his church family.
Veldon also gave generously to his community. For a time, he served as Umpire-in-Chief of Little League in South Charleston and Sissonville, sharing his love of the game and his steady, fair-minded spirit with countless young players. A hardworking man throughout his life, he was employed at FMC and Kanawha Manufacturing before finishing his career at DuPont, where he worked for 24 years.
Above all, Veldon was a devoted husband and father. He loved his children so very much and treated each of them the same, with equal love and devotion. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were a constant blessing to him and among the greatest joys of his life.
He is survived by his loving wife, Janice Higginbotham, and by his children and their families: daughter Lee Weber; daughter Velice Byrd and her husband, Mark; daughter Cara Koerner and her husband, Paul; son Veldon Higginbotham II and his wife, Jenna; and son Delmer Wayne Higginbotham and his wife, Andrea.
He leaves behind a cherished family of grandchildren — Megan Coulter (Clay), Ashley Lively, Andrew Weber (Molly), Jandon Elkins, Mark Byrd II (Julie), Jacob Byrd, Adam Hanna (Jeslyn), Caleb Koerner (Kayli), Jessica Halley (Corey), Liam Higginbotham, Coulton Higginbotham, Zachary Higginbotham, and Lilian Higginbotham — and many beloved great-grandchildren: Levi and Maddie Coulter, Jace and Alec Lively, Hallie and Thomas Weber, Brandon and Emily Elkins, Hudson Hanna, and Sterling (Ash) Halley.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Eunice Mangus and Ivan “Chick” Higginbotham; his stepmother, Velma Higginbotham; his sisters, Patricia Pennington and Shirley “Temp” King; his son-in-law, Edward Weber; and his grandson, Todd Hanna.
A man at peace and free of all pain, Veldon rests now in the presence of his Savior. He was, and always will be, the best father, grandfather, and husband — and he will be missed beyond words.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at Long & Fisher Funeral Home with Pastor Greg Moles officiating. Burial will follow in Floral Hills Garden of Memories.

Visitation will be held from 12 - 1 p.m. prior to the service.