Patricia Sue (Ham) Biggs

Our mom, Patricia Sue Ham Biggs, was born in her home on Meridian Street in Indianapolis on May 21st, 1935; and died under the care of her daughter Laura and son Brad in Brownsburg, Indiana on January 9th, 2023. The love of Mom’s life, her husband of 55 years, Robert Biggs, died on July 16, 2013. Mom is survived by son Brad, daughter Laura and her husband Brad Rees, granddaughter Elizabeth Rees, and sister-in-law Jean Koch.

Teacher, adventurer, and woman of faith, Mom was the only daughter of Lura Genevieve Patterson Ham and Elmer Herman Samuel Ham. Mom graduated from Southport High School and studied at DePauw University as a member of the AO∏ sorority. Mom returned to Indianapolis in 1955 to care for her dad after the unexpected death of her mother. She completed her undergraduate degree in Education at Indiana Central Univeristy. Mom taught for 41 years, primarily at Southport Elementary School. She had a heart for students and was a well-loved educator. While teaching and raising her children, Mom completed a Masters of Education at Indiana Central University. She was a member of the Indiana State Teachers Association and the Indiana Retired Teachers Association.

Mom led a life of adventure. She took motorcycle riding lessons and neared completion of her training as a small-engine airplane pilot. Passionate about several African countries, she travelled to the continent 14 times. Many of those visits were to Kenya which inspired her to create her own safari travel company, African Skies Safari. Mom hiked up a mountain in the Ugandan jungle and viewed a troop of gorillas, and also toured South Africa. Mom assisted Methodist missionaries in creating curriculum for a school in Liberia. And on the US/Mexican border, Mom joined Presbyterian missionaries in building a school. Back in Indianapolis, Mom volunteered with the Red Cross in the relief effort after hurricane Katrina.

Mom loved singing in the church choir. She excelled in the cooking of grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. She loved Sanibel Island and time at the beach. She enjoyed an eclectic mix of music and played guitar. Mom drove fifty miles per hour every where she went. She was a second mother to Brad's and Laura’s friends and the six exchange students our family hosted. Mom’s legacy is the love she left behind.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, January 20, 2023 at Connection Pointe Christian Church in Brownsburg.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service in the church.  Baker Funeral Home, Danville, is handling the arrangements.  Contributions may be made to African Wildlife Foundation secure.awf.org or WheelerMission.org or by mail at P. O. Box 3085 Indianapolis, IN 46206. 

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