Lesta Ann Bigbie

Lesta Ann Olmstead Bigbie, 81, died Wednesday, November 25, 2015 at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg. Ann was born April 19, 1934 in Marshall, Oklahoma to Leston Dalford Olmstead and Juanita Marie Hopson Olmstead. She met the love of her life, Leonard Bigbie, as a young teenager and they were married in 1954. She graduated from London High School in New London, Texas in 1952 and then attended Tyler Business College. She was the first secretary for Howard Industries in Laurel in the 1960’s. In 1970, Ann and Leonard started Big “B” Valve Repair & Service, Inc, servicing the oil industry in the southeast region of the United States. They operated Big “B” until their retirement in 1999. Ann is survived by her beloved husband of 61 years, Leonard Zelby Bigbie of Laurel, her sister Janet Olmstead Cotten Bizzell of Austin, Texas; her brother Robert Olmstead and his wife Katie, of Franklin, Texas; her daughter Debra Bigbie Hinton and her husband Ray; her son Joseph Wayne Bigbie and his wife, Ellen, all of Laurel. She is also survived by 8 grandchildren: Jennifer Pridgen Craft and her husband, Kevin of Hattiesburg; Jonathan Bigbie of Moselle; Angela Pridgen Myers and her husband, Tommy of Laurel; Krysta Bigbie McRae and her husband, Chris, of Soso; Bethany Bigbie Byrd and her husband, Austin, of Laurel; Joshua Pridgen and his wife, Jennifer, of Ellisville; Robert Pridgen and his fiancee’ Dayna Hamm both of Ellisville; and Michael Bigbie and his wife, Genny of Brandon. Additionally she is survived by 12 great-grandchildren: Ariana Marie Craft of Hattiesburg, Aidan Donavan Bigbie of Moselle, Melody Grace Gilbert of Laurel, Shawn Thomas Myers of Laurel, Lillianna Drummer of Ellisville, Christopher Joseph McRae of Soso, Eden Rose Gilbert of Laurel, Emma Rose Pridgen of Ellisville, Krystina Rose McRae of Soso, Abigail Elizabeth Myers of Laurel, Krystie Marie McRae of Soso and Michael James Bigbie of Brandon. Visitation will be at 1 pm on Sunday, November 29, 2015 at Heritage Heights Baptist Church, 4140 Hwy 15 North, Laurel with services following at 2:30 pm. Burial will be at Union Line Cemetery in Jones County. Brother Ken Regan will officiate the services. Pallbearers will be Jonathan Bigbie, Joshua Pridgen, Bob Pridgen, Michael Bigbie, Aidan Bigbie and Kevin Craft.

Lesta Ann Bigbie

April 19, 1934 - November 25, 2015