Mrs. Nettie Mae Highshaw

Nettie Mae Highshaw, the seventh child of seventeen children was born on March 23, 1921 in Laran, Louisiana to the union of George Washington and Bessie Mae (Honeycutt) Gatson. Her parents provided her with nurturing and guidance that they knew was needed to face life's challenges, instilling in her a strong Christian heritage. Nettie accepted Christ at an early age and became a member of Fellowship Baptist Church in Spearsville, Louisiana. She was educated within the Louisiana school district. Nettie was united in holy matrimony to George James Highshaw on December 31, 1940 in Union Parish, Louisiana. This union was blessed with 14 children and three additional generations. She truly felt she was richly blessed through her children. Nettie and her husband relocated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in October 1952, and she joined Greater Galilee Baptist Church the following year. She continued to worship and serve there for over 60 years as a member of the Mother's Board, Mission #5, Sunday school, Kitchen Staff, and Senior Citizens. She regularly attended the Wisconsin Baptist State Congress and Midwest Laymen's Conference. Nettie was past Patron of Electa #7. She was also an active member of Church Women United. Nettie was a busy woman, a phenomenal woman. Nettie was employed at the Milwaukee Protestant Home for over 30 years. While employed, she earned a certificate in Health Food Service from Milwaukee Area Technical College. Nettie, a master at time management, was able to work full time while raising her family and assisting her husband in the family business. Nettie was a teacher and life coach with God being her only instructor. She instilled the Word of God in her children and grandchildren. She taught them the importance of teamwork and supporting one another. She loved her family, from the eldest child to the youngest grand. At 96, she still felt she had a responsibility to care for all of them. Her grandkids could talk to her about anything. Her children depended on her to keep them abreast of what was going on with their children. She also felt she owned the sole right to talk about them, and they knew it was her right and no one else's. Nettie's life went beyond her immediate family. She touched so many people, her smile and kind demeanor was infectious. She had a heart of gold and possessed a gift of true hospitality. Everyone was welcomed in her home. "The Porch" was a major part of Nettie's life. Nettie enjoyed sitting on her porch watching people as they walked by and sharing life stories. "Anyone who had the opportunity to sit in on a "Porch experience has a priceless nugget. Nettie's other past times were watching the Milwaukee Bucks Basketball games, Family Feud and Word Search puzzles. Nettie enjoyed traveling, she never let her pain or age stop her from traveling with her children. In the last year and a half, she traveled to Texas, Tennessee, Mississippi, California, Louisiana, and Kansas. Nettie, loved and admired by all who knew her, answered to many names "Mother, Mom, MaDea, Granny, Net, OG, Aunt Nettie, Cun Nettie, Mother Highshaw, or Mrs. Highshaw, but her most important title was "Child of God." The Lord knew that Nettie was tired and deserved her peaceful rest. He also knew she loved her family and was struggling with leaving them all alone. On Tuesday afternoon, December 19, 2017 the Lord, in His infinite wisdom welcomed her to her new home as she lay in her bedroom alone in His presence. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, four children: James, Jimmie Louis, Georgia, and Faye, two granddaughters, eight brothers, and four sisters. She leaves to treasure her precious life, ten children: Bessie Christopher, Helen (Gene) Hughes, Herbert Joe (Joyce) Highshaw, Jimmie (Debra) Highshaw, Peggy (Major) Ragland, Charlotte Miller, Greg (Mona) Highshaw, Dana (Barbara) Highshaw, Diane (Lee) Ellis, and Michelle Highshaw, Four sisters: Fannie Scruggs, Georgia (O.C.) Jones, Gertrude Edwards, Sammie Brantley; two sisters-in-law: Mary Harris and Emma Jean Gatson; two brothers-in-law: Wince Highshaw, Jr. and Richard H. Jones; 39 grandchildren, 83 great grandchildren, 30 great great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, Greater Galilee Baptist Church and New Covenant Baptist Church families, and others who called her "Granny."

Mrs. Nettie Mae Highshaw

March 23, 1921 - December 19, 2017