Funeral services for Mrs. Tula Hightower Biggs, age 89, of Carthage, Texas, will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010, at Rehobeth United Methodist Church with Rev. Jack McMahon officiating under the direction of Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Rehobeth Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00-2:30 p.m. on Saturday at the church prior to the service. Mrs. Biggs passed away on Friday morning, Feb. 5, 2010, in Carthage.

Tula Lillian Hightower Biggs was born on May 8, 1920, in San Augustine County, TX. She was the youngest of 13 children born to Charnel Allen and Sally Ann Thomas Hightower. She graduated from Carthage High School with the class of 1938. She and Marvin Mouzon Biggs, Sr. were married on March 18, 1939, in Beckville, TX by Rev. C. T. Wallace. While Mouzon was in Europe during WWII, she lived with her parents who helped her with her three small children, Mouzon, Jr., Jacqueline, and Warren. When Mouzon returned from the war, they moved to the Glassell Producing Camp on highway 79. Tula was very involved with her children and their activities. She served as president of the Carthage PTA, was a room mother, and spent many hours on various school projects. She was also active in her community with Eastern Star, served on the city council, volunteered in the head start program, and was instrumental in the founding of the Samaritan House. She has been a member of Rehobeth U.M.C. for over 60 years, where she served and chaired virtually every board and committee in the church. She taught Sunday school at many levels for over 50 years. She and Mouzon attended the Texas Annual Conference as representatives from Rehobeth for many years. She is well remembered and respected by many of her Al-Anon friends. After her children were grown, she went to work for Cain Insurance Agency, working there until her retirement in 1982. She was proud to be a cancer survivor for over 28 years. Tula began jogging at the age of 58 years and continued her exercise until age 84. She participated in the Potlatch 5-K Fun Run and won the oldest runner award each year the event was held. She and Mouzon traveled all over the world for 17 years during their retirement. They were season ticket holders to the Carthage Bulldog football games for over 50 years. Tula was an avid Bulldog fan and attended their games well into her 80's. She loved the DAWGS. Tula is probably best known for her articles in the Panola Watchman. She wrote "First Things First" for 25 years. She was always humbled when someone would stop her on the street to talk about an article she wrote that had touched them in a special way. She was preceded in death by her parents; twelve siblings; her husband; and her granddaughter, Allison Biggs.

Mrs. Biggs is survived by three children, Dr. Mouzon Biggs, Jr. and wife Gayle of Tulsa, OK, Jacqueline Rodriguez and husband Manuel Jr. of Carthage, and Warren Biggs and wife Toni of Carthage; grandchildren, Marvin Mouzon Biggs, III (Trey) and wife Allison of Tulsa; Jason Biggs and wife Janet of Tulsa, Manuel Rodriguez, III and wife Stacie of Floresville, Miguel Rodriguez and wife Luciana of Chicago, Brian Biggs and wife Amy of San Antonio, and Brett Biggs and wife Melissa of Carthage; and great-grandchildren, Abby Biggs, Parker Biggs, Josh Biggs, Barrett Biggs, Dylan Biggs, Chase Biggs, Jessica Pruski, Madeline Rodriguez, Matthew Pruski, Nicholas Rodriguez, Christian Rodriguez, Kailey Biggs, Jackson Biggs, and Sloan Biggs. Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends also survive Mrs. Biggs.

Serving as pallbearers are Trey Biggs, Jason Biggs, Manuel Rodriguez, III, Miguel Rodriguez, Brian Biggs, and Brett Biggs.

The family would like to thank the staff of the Winkler House and hospice for the loving care shown to Mrs. Biggs.

If desired, memorials may be made to Rehobeth U.M.C., 126 CR 207, Carthage, TX 75633.