Obituary of Charlotte A. Higdon

Charlotte Ann Higdon, seventy five passed away on May 20th 2021 of lung cancer. Ms. Higdon was surrounded by family when she joined her parents, Evelyn and Alvin Gerstman, son, Randy Higdon, sister, Joyce Philips, and brother, Bobby Gerstman waiting in heaven. Mrs. Higdon had a green thumb she loved to garden and couldn’t resist taking a cutting from every flower she saw. Charlotte was silly, mischievous with a wonderful sense of humor and an adventurous spirit. She was deeply sensitive and caring. Charlotte taught her children to enjoy the simpler things in life such as, music, family, the beauty of nature and the importance of laughter. Charlotte loved to shop for herself and others. She was very generous and no one left her home without a gift. Charlotte was diagnosed with schizophrenia at the age of nineteen. Her mental illness limited her passion and potential. Her illness made it difficult to be the mother she longed to be. Ignorance, fear and unintentional mistreatment of the mentally ill is a real problem in our society. Resources are needed to adequately treat and increase awareness of the struggles and plight of the mentally ill. Charlotte refused to be defined by her illness. She was diagnosed when treatments for schizophrenia were experimental, barbaric and inhumane. Charlotte took newly diagnosed young mental patients under her wing and tried to help them understand and cope with their new diagnosis. Charlotte wanted others to understand that the person you see talking to themselves on the street deserves compassion instead judgment and mockery. Ms. Higdon is survived by her brother, Larry Gerstman (Elaine) of Auburdale FL, her daughter, Donna Franke (Daniel) of Santarosa Beach, FL, son, Ricky Higdon (Laura), of Franklin GA, daughter, Vickie Mathews of Decatur AL, son, Ronny Higdon of Decatur AL, son, Joe Higdon of Auburndale FL, grandson Jonathan Morris of SantaRosa Beach FL, 10 step grandchildren and 7 step-great grandchildren and 11 nieces and nephews. Charlotte’s free spirit, loving personality and generous giving of herself will forever be missed. Charlotte was loved by many and will forever live on in the hearts and memories of those who loved her.