Leota Mae (Porterfield) Biggart, 98, granddaughter of one of the early pioneers of Jackson County, Jefferson Green Porterfield, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2009 at Eastridge Care Home in Centralia with her family at her side. She was born April 1, 1910 to Robert and Edythe (Gatewood) Porterfield in the Pleasant Grove Community, the only daughter in a family of six boys. She attended Circleville Grade School, and later, Holton High School, where she graduated in 1929. She attended Kansas State University from 1930-31, and then returned to Holton where she provided a home in town while her younger brothers attended Holton High School. She taught at Pea Ridge School, a one-room country school, and then moved in 1934 with her family to Iowa until her marriage in 1942 to Leland Biggart of Circleville.

Leota and Leland lived on the family homestead west of Circleville, purchased in 1856 by Leland's grandparents. They were blessed with two children, Hal T. and LeAnne. Leota was preceded in death by her son in 1972, her husband in 1981, and five of her six brothers, Marion, Gray, Gordon, Hugh, and Dick. Her daughter, LeAnne, son-in-law, Bill, grandson, Brennan and his wife, Leah of Chapel Hill, NC,,granddaughter, Callie of State College, PA, and youngest brother, Jay, of Tahlequah, OK, survive.

In the early years of their marriage, Leota and Leland farmed and raised sheep and cattle. In later years, they enjoyed reading to each other in the evening, listening to music, gardening together and traveling to visit children and grandchildren. After Leland's death, Leota maintained the homestead for nearly twenty years, following her passion for vegetable and flower gardening, feeding the birds and sewing for her grandchildren.

Like her mother before her, Leota gently urged her children and grandchildren to unceasingly strive to be better people. She never raised her voice; her beliefs were lived more than spoken and love guided her every act.

Leota's dedication to her farm and community, love for the outdoors, and a simply-led life allowed her to live almost an entire century. Her laughter was contagious and her smile would light up anyone's heart but especially her family's. She was a deeply beloved mother and grandmother; for her grandchildren, "going to the farm" was the highlight of each year.

A Celebration of Life will be held on the family farm in the spring. Memorial contributions may be made to the Circleville United Methodist Church, Eastridge in Centralia, or Abundant Life Hospice of Hiawatha.