Avis (Rayfield) Higginbotham, born to Oliver and Lona (Barnes) Rayfield at home in Sevier County, TN on February 26, 1934, died Thursday, November 11, 2010, at Cashmere Convalescent Center in Cashmere. Avis attended Shady Grove School in Birds Creek, TN and later worked at several places in Gatlinburg, including the M and O Tea Room and also as a Nanny. In 1951, she moved with her family to Leavenworth, where she worked at the River Terrace Cafe;. In 1952, she met the love of her life, Owen and in 1953, moved with her family to Peshastin, where she managed the Peshastin Cafe; until she and Owen were married on August 14, 1953, at Coeur d'Alene, ID. After their marriage, they moved to Leavenworth, where their daughter, Ellen, was born. In 1954, they moved to Oregon, where their two sons, Billy and Dale, were born and, in 1956, they moved back to Leavenworth. In 1965, they moved to Entiat and in 1968, moved to Peshastin, where they have lived the last 42 years. The last eight and a half years, Avis lived at the Cashmere Convalescent Center, where she was given exceptionally loving care. Avis loved to cook and bake. She was a great cook and you had to be quick at family potlucks to get any of her dishes. She also loved to travel and was ready to go within a moment's notice. She loved the outdoors and enjoyed hiking and fishing with her dad, working in her garden and yard with her roses, but her true passion, was quilting. Her award winning quilts displayed her talents and each quilt she made for family members was touched with love. She was the organizer and heart of our family and will be dearly missed.

Avis is survived by her husband, Owen Higginbotham of Peshastin; daughter and son-in-law, Ellen (Stephen) Ross of Peshastin; son, Dale (Kellie) Higginbotham of Cashmere; sisters, Marie (Blaine) Hurst of Sevierville, TN, Lillie Mae (George) Franklin of Cashmere, Wilda Ward of Leavenworth and Doris (David) Nierman of Dryden; brother, John (Hazel) Rayfield of Wenatchee; ten grandchildren, Tiffany, Kyle, Owen, Scott, Bill, Shane, David, Dane, Nathan and Darby; five great-grandchildren, Halee, Marriah, Logan, Keiphen and Raegan. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Curtis; and her son, Bill.

A Funeral Service of Commemoration to Celebrate the Life of Avis Rayfield Higginbotham will be held on Thursday, November 18, 2010, at Ward's Funeral Chapel in Leavenworth at 1:00 p.m., with Pastor John Romine officiating. Concluding Services and Interment will be in the Mt. View Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 17, 2010, at Ward's Funeral Chapel from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association at P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011. Ward's Funeral Chapel, Leavenworth, is in charge of the arrangements.