OBITUARY

Letha Belle Hickinbotham of St. Clair, MO departed this life surrounded by her family at the Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital on Saturday, December 20, 2025, having reached the age of ninety years, ten months and twelve days. Letha was born in New Haven, MO on February 8, 1935, daughter of Clarence Laubinger and Gladine Laubinger nee Helling. As a young woman she was united in marriage and blessed to have four children.

Letha is survived by three children, Marjean Alexander of Bourbon, MO, Twila Noe and husband, David, of St. Clair, MO and Scott Hickinbotham and wife, Yaileth, of Washington, MO; by her brothers, Audie Laubinger of Washington, MO, Clarence Laubinger, Jr. and wife, Janet, of Union, MO and Stanley Laubinger and wife, Mary, of Sullivan, MO; by her sisters, Carol Bandy of Leslie, MO, Joanne Schultz of Holt Summit, MO, Sondra Biermann and husband, Mike, of Webster Groves, MO, Darlene Branson and husband, Kenny, of St. Johns, MO, Cindy Gill and husband, Don, of Leslie, MO and Sherrie Sexton and husband, Mark, of Osage Beach, MO; by her grandchildren, Jason Alexander and wife, Holly, of Sullivan, MO, Jennell Wallis and husband, Randy, of Bourbon, MO, Jeremy Alexander and wife, Maggie, of Sullivan, MO, Jamie Halmick and husband, Caleb, of St. Clair, MO, Tara Hickinbotham of St. Clair, MO, and Samantha and Anisha Hickinbotham of Washington, MO; by thirteen great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great and great-great-nieces and nephews, cousins and many friends.

Letha was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Gladine Laubinger; by her former husband, Floyd E. Hickinbotham; by one son, Floyd C. Hickinbotham; and by her son-in-law, Cris Alexander.

In 1976, Letha founded Hickinbotham Real Estate, Inc. which led to extensive involvement in community organizations. At various times throughout the 1980's she served as President for the Women's Council of Realtors (Woman of the Year, 1985), President of Tri-County Business and Professional Women's Club, and President of Franklin County Board of Realtors (Realtor of the Year, 1983). In 1990 she bravely entered the hospitality industry as owner/developer of her own independent hotel, Budget Lodging (now Pinemark). It brought her unspeakable joy to have family and friends contribute to her businesses over the years. Letha was an active member of the Rotary Club of St. Clair, MO, St. Clair Chamber of Commerce (Outstanding Achievement Award 2004), ECC Foundation and Forest Park Forever. Her appreciation of the arts inspired her to be a patron of such for over twenty-five years.

Letha was a Christian, always signing off on her cards and letters with "Child of The King", and was long time member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in St. Clair, MO. She loved the theater, traveling and sail boating, but what meant most to her was time spent with family. She sought to include them in all her endeavors, whether business or pleasure. For many years she hosted annual family reunions and would always seek more opportunities to bring extended family together. No matter how a person fit into her family tree, they knew she loved and adored them just for being 'family.' Her children and grandchildren held a very special place in her heart, as she did in theirs. The love they shared and countless memories they created will be cherished by them all forever. A kind and loving mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, great and great-great-aunt, cousin and treasured friend, she will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew and loved her.

Visitation will be held from 3:00 to 6:30 PM Friday, January 2, 2023 at Russell Colonial Funeral Home in St. Clair, MO and from 9:00 to 11:00 AM Saturday, January 3, 2023 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in St. Clair, MO, the service will be live streamed on the Church Facebook page. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, January 3, 2026 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Interment will be at 2:30 PM Saturday, January 3, 2026 in Evergreen Baptist Church Cemetery in Leslie, MO. Memorials may be made to Mt. Zion Baptist church for The Hope Addictions Ministry.