Charla Rockett Bankhead

Charla Rockett Bankhead, 75, passed away unexpectedly at her home on December 28, 2025. She was born July 7, 1950, to Charles James Rockett and Ruth Lee (Flud) Rockett of Higbee, Missouri, and was a 1968 graduate of Higbee High School and a lifelong resident of Higbee. She was a life-long member of the Higbee United Methodist Church and later in life became a member of the Higbee Christian Church.

Charla began her professional career at the Higbee Savings Bank and then later with Central Bank, where she rose to the position of Vice President. Charla then went on to run the finance department, was Warehouse Manager, and then General Manager of Heilig-Meyers in Moberly, MO. She then became the Office Manager at J.D. Byrider, in Columbia, MO, before retiring in 2017.

The only thing Charla loved as much as her family, was the Higbee Community, where she called home her entire life. Over the years, Charla devoted much of her time and energy to her beloved community, serving as a Mayor for the City of Higbee and President of the Higbee R-VIII School Board where she served on the school board for twelve years. She served in various capacities and volunteered her time to numerous organizations, including serving on the boards of the Higbee Cemetery Association, Higbee Senior Citizens and Community Center.

Her greatest joys were her family and her community. Charla also enjoyed good food, traveling, playing games, attending Higbee sporting events, her flowers, and decorating for and celebrating Christmas.

She is survived by her son L.C. "Chuck" (Christina Creed) Bankhead III, and daughter Chanda Rose Lee Bankhead, her grandchildren, Lance Christian Bankhead and Kennedy Leigh Bankhead, all of Higbee. Her sisters, Malinda Rockett Bockenfeld and Melanie Rockett Lechtenberg, both of Quincy, IL, one niece, Jennifer Lee Rockett (Steve) Genova, of Kansas City, Missouri, her nephews, Matthew Dean (Amanda) Bockenfeld of Webb City, Missouri, James Robert (Morgan) Rockett, of Higbee, Missouri, Kelly Lee (Kelsey) Bockenfeld, of Quincy, IL, Jessie Charles Smith of Quincy, IL; Zachary Hart Lechtenberg of Quincy, IL, and Alex Xaiver Lee (Hannah) Lechtenberg of Phoenix, AZ; several great nieces and nephews, cousins, as well as other extended family members and of her dear friends that she considered family.

Charla was preceded in death by her parents, as well as brother Robert E. (Dick) Rockett.

Charla will continue to live in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

Friends and family who wish to honor Charla’s memory, may do so by contributing to the Higbee Cemetery Association (P.O. Box 53, Higbee, MO 65257) or the Higbee Senior Citizens and Community Center (P.O. Box 96, Higbee, MO 65257).

Charla lived her life to the fullest and on her terms. To honor her wishes, no public funeral services will be held, a grave side ceremony for immediate family will be held at a later date.

Local arrangements are under the direction of Pathway-Millard Family Funeral Chapel, 411 Union Avenue, Moberly, MO 65270 (660)263-7284. Condolences may be left online for the family at www. pathwaymemorial. com may be left online for the family at www. pathwaymemorial. com