Celebration of Life for Horace A. Hightower

C E L E B R AT I O N O F L I F E Wednesday, January 31, 2024 1:00PM Bethel Baptist Church 702 Johnstonville Road Barnesville, Georgia, 30204 The Reverend James C. Marable, Pastor, Officiating ________________________ “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”

Matthew 25:23

God, in His Infinite Wisdom, so willed in the small rural town of Barnesville, Georgia that Horace Arthelia Hightower would be born February 27, 1943, as the youngest son of Thomas W. Hightower and Ophelia Ogletree Hightower. God knew that Barnesville, Georgia, would be the place for Horace A. Hightower to fulfill his life calling through his gifts of service and exhortation. The young Horace learned early in life that faith is the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen. Faith soon became the foundation of his relationship with God and everything Horace would hope for in life; faith became the foundation of his relationship with his family and his friends.

Faith was his invisible belief that undergirded his visible actions. Through his strong faith that with God all things are possible, he became a faithful servant and supporter.

t h e fa i t h f u l s e rva n t Horace A. Hightower joined the family home church, Bethel Baptist Church, Johnstonville, Road, Barnesville, Georgia as a young boy.

He loved the church; he loved Bethel, where he remained a lifelong member, living long enough to be respected and honored as the oldest male of the church.

Of all the boards he served in his lifetime, his highest call to a board was in 1975 when he was ordained as a deacon of the Bethel Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend O.H. Stinson. He continued to serve under the next three pastors Reverend Rufus Smith, Reverend J. T. Davis, and Reverend Douglas E. Stowers. He took pride in serving in ministry with the church’s current pastor, the Reverend James C. Marable, who he followed as his pastor and loved as his son for the last 29 years.

Horace A. Hightower loved the studying and teaching of the Word of God, and for years taught the Adult Sunday School class at Bethel. He later attended Sunday School in the neighborhood at West Mount Sinai Baptist Church and was blessed to enjoy teaching the Adult Class under the leadership of the late Reverend Horace Fuller and the Reverend Waylon T. Knight.

He loved the youth of his church. During the time, his wife was the Youth Department and Choir advisor, he ensured she was able to get members of the Youth Choir to rehearsal, church service, and other programs and activities Later, when his sister was the advisor of the Little Angelics, he enjoyed spending time with the youth and taking them to the Dairy Queen and other places. With Pastor James C. Marable, he loved the youth and church trips and outings.

the faithful sailor and scholar Horace A. Hightower was a graduate of Booker High School with the Class of 1962, his best friends, and to the very end of his earthly life, he loved the Class of 1962 and proudly considered it the best class of the Booker High School era. In his adult years, he served gladly as the Class President and gained great joy spending time with his classmates at monthly meetings, class outings and class reunions.

He was elated to receive the Barnesville High and Industrial and Booker Schools Alumni Association, Inc. Legacy Award in August 2022.

After he graduated from high school, Horace A. Hightower began working with his older brothers with the family’s legacy of bricklayers. Due to the heat and his dreams, he left the job one day and went to the Recruiting Office, where he enlisted in the United States Navy.

Stationed in San Diego, California aboard the USS Hooper DE1026, a flagship, his military duties included communication as a radioman. He received the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the First Good Conduct Medal Award. He received an honorable discharge from the Navy as a radioman second class.

He considered making the United States Navy a career but chose to return home after his high school sweetheart, Gwendolyn Maddox, who he started “courting” at the age of 15, would not leave her parents and Barnesville to reside with him in San Diego, California. He and Gwen were united in holy matrimony January 5, 1963 and were blessed with four sons.

He returned home to Barnesville to be with her and to support his family. He enrolled in Griffin Technical School (now Southern Crescent Technical College) and worked at the William Carter Company. He earned his degree in electronics from Griffin Tech, and at the recommendation of his instructors, he was offered and accepted a position with Pitney Bowes as a customer service engineer, traveling the region installing and repairing postals and troubleshooting other technical issues with the company’s equipment across the state of Georgia. During his tenure with the company, he was elated when his youngest son received Pitney Bowes’ coveted James L. Turrentine scholarship. After 31successful years with Pitney Bowes, earning many service and commendation awards throughout his career, he retired in 2006. Because of his skill and passion for the job, he continued to work as a contractor/consultant for the company upon retirement.

After his full retirement, he enjoyed joining his “walking buddies” at the Track every morning for their walks and talks.

After his time at the Track, he then gathered with his “coffee buddies” at Hardee’s until it closed and then Jack’s for their daily coffee and conversations.

the faithful supporter Horace A. Hightower believed in education with Christian Education as the ultimate knowledge. He embraced the Proverbs, particularly Proverbs 4:7 “Wisdom is the principle thing; therefore, get wisdom and in all thy getting, get understanding. He used wisdom to parent his children and support others. He had wise counsel for every situation.

He knew how to turn every situation into a joyful moment with a comical comment. He was a thinker, a leader, and a supporter.

As a parent, he supported all of his sons in their endeavors.

He was actively involved and attended all of their school activities and was proud to continue to share their adult life with them. In their triumphs, he applauded them. In their trials, he assisted them. His sons shared him with his godchildren, their friends, and the many students and athletes of Lamar County.

Horace A. Hightower was first elected to the Lamar County Board of Education in 1978. In 2016, the Georgia School Board of Association recognized him as the 5th longest sitting Board Member in Georgia out of 1,039 members in 180 systems.

After devoting his time, efforts, and support to the staff and students of Lamar County, he retired after 42 years of service in 2020. At the time of his retirement, he was the second longest serving board member in the State of Georgia. Having served as a dedicated member, vicechairman, and chairman throughout his tenure on the board, he worked tirelessly for 42 years to help lead the Board of Education in ensuring the equity and the excellence of staff and students in Lamar County.

He was appointed to serve on several boards and committees throughout Lamar County and the State of Georgia. He devoted much of his time to community service and involvement. He received numerous awards and commendations for his faithful service. The Barnesville City Council and the Lamar County Board of Commissioners both proclaimed February 27th as the Horace A. Hightower Day in recognition of his commitment to education and service to the community. His sons and his grandchildren, his pride and joy, presented the first Annual Horace A. Hightower Scholarship in 2020 upon his retirement from the Lamar County Board of Education.

An avid Trojan fan, he was a visible voice at all of the school’s football and basketball games and many of the other school activities. With a deep affection for the games and activities, he admired the players and participants and felt he had to be there to support them. Rain or shine, win or lose, Horace Hightower was at a Trojan game.

Shouting he lived long enough to see it, he was overjoyed and excited to join all the Lamar County Trojans play in the State Championship Game in the Georgia Dome in 2013.

While this single game was historical for him, he treated every game and every other activity and every student just as important. He was indeed a loyal supporter of the students’ academic and fine arts programs and the work of the administrators, the teachers, and the entire Trojan staff.

the final second Horace A. Hightower would go to every Trojan football and basketball game and remain to the final second with hope in his favorite team of players. Many young athletes speak of how he stood, waited on them, and encouraged them after each of their games; some have even said he made them feel like a “superstar.” Horace A. Hightower, for almost 81 years, played his own game of life by faith. On Monday, December 4, 2023, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and fought valiantly saying, “I am going to be alright” until the final second on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, when God stood waiting on him and said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” Matthew 25:23 Horace A. Hightower has now joined the Great Cloud of Witnesses, where he sits in the grandstand of heaven encouraging his family and friends to keep the faith.

Horace A. Hightower leaves to continue his legacy of faith his devoted wife of 61 years, Gwendolyn Maddox Hightower; his sons, Minister Marcus R. Hightower, Hampton, Georgia, Zachary Hightower, Fayetteville, Georgia, Horace D. Hightower, Barnesville, Christopher Hightower, Barnesville, and Andre Colquitt, Griffin, Georgia; his granddaughter, Amber C. Hightower, Fayetteville, Georgia; his grandson, Darius T. Hightower, Fayetteville, Georgia; his godson, Jarvis C. Mangham, Stockbridge, Georgia; his “Big Sister” Tommie Mary Hardin, Barnesville; his sister, Reverend Ada B. Long, Newnan, Georgia; his brother Reverend Charlie F. Hightower, Newnan, Georgia; his sisters in law Lucille Maddox Arverne, New York, Jeanette Maddox Brown, Fairfax, Virginia, Linda Maddox, Atlanta, Georgia, and Vernordia Studstill, College, Park, Georgia; his brother in law Arthur (Reverend Dr. Charlene) Maddox, Atlanta, Georgia; his aunts, Mary Ogletree, Barnesville and Leola Weaver, New York City, New York; his nephew-son Dr. Ayo Bandele (Diann); his niece-daughter Betty J. (Robert) Rogers, Barnesville; his nephew-son Michael A. McGee (Reverend Mia) McGee, Barnesville; his great nephew Mikyle McGee, Griffin; his great nephew Reverend Edward (Janice) Searcy, Thomaston, Georgia, his other nieces and nephews, who he adored and enjoyed spending time, joking and hearing about their life; his godchildren, his classmates, the Lamar County Trojans, and his friends.

Reverend James C. Marable, Officiating Bishop Jerry F. Hutchins, Presiding

Prelude Processional Family and Friends

Call to Celebration Bishop Jerry F. Hutchins, Pastor Kingdom Now Ministries, Lithonia Invocation Dr. Lytia Howard, Pastor

Hinsley Temple Church of God in Christ, Atlanta

Scriptures

From the Psalms Apostle Dr. Mamie Smith, Pastor New Generation Christian Fellowship Church, Griffin

From the Gospels The Reverend Rufus Smith, Pastor New Mount Olive Baptist Church, LaGrange

From the Epistles The Reverend Douglas E. Stowers, Pastor Mount Calvary Baptist Church, Atlanta Prayer of Assurance The Reverend Jimmy Lyons, Pastor East Mount Sinai Baptist Church, Barnesville Songs of Assurance The Reverend Dr. Eddie F. Collier, Pastor Towaliga County Line Baptist Church, Jackson

Words of Assurance The Reverend Dr. Jerry D. Black, Pastor Beulah Missionary Baptist Church, Decatur Deacon’s Devotional Song

Deacon John Harp, Class of 1962

Tributes Elder Glory Holt The Reverend Freeman E. Fuller, Jr. Mr. Ronald Smith/Mr. James Butler Dr. Ayo Bandele

Song Mrs. Hester Washington Cooper The Family Tribute Miss Amber C. Hightower Mr. Darius T. Hightower The Acknowledgement

Mrs. Linda Olivier

Song Belinda Penamon, Chief City of Barnesville Police Department The Eulogy

The Reverend James. C. Marable

The Recessional

Greenwood Cemetery 300 Elm Street Barnesville, Georgia

The Women’s Clubhouse 176 Stafford Avenue Barnesville, Georgia 30204

a faithful servant

Fifty years ago, my father, Grady Maddox, encouraged me to marry the young man I had dated since 8th grade in school. Being a daddy’s girl, I listened to my daddy and followed him and this man to the Chapel to get married. During this marriage, my mother, Eddie M. Maddox, talked to me and prayed with me to help me remain in the marriage and to be the wife of my husband. ~ Gwen Fifty years ago, I wasn’t sure I was ready to get married, but Mr. Grady felt I needed to marry Gwen. He wanted us to raise our child together.

My parents, Thomas and Ophelia Hightower, agreed. A man of confidence, I faced a decision that was the biggest one of my life, and I was afraid. Yet, I wanted the best for my wife and family. I married and joined the United States Navy, and our story begun. ~Horace Fifty years ago, we did not know, and honestly, we were not sure we would make it to this point in our lives. In fact, nobody knows our story. Life and Favor, God blessed us to make it to this point. What we did not know, God knew, and He has blessed us to remain together for 50 years. For better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, we have been united in holy matrimony. It has been a marriage of Life and Favor.

50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration 2013 January 5, 2024, I was blessed to celebrate 61 years of marriage with my beloved husband. January 21, 2024, two days before his passed, as with very little voice and strength, he turned to me and slept peacefully with his arm around me. We were together “till death do us part.” I love and will see you again, Horace.

Gwendolyn Maddox Hightower Celebration of Life 2024

a faithful servant

Thank God for the Life and Favor extended to us through our father. We are better able to understand God as a Father because of our father. If our earthly father with his limited power can do all he did for us, how much more can our Heavenly Father with unlimited power can do. We were blessed to grow up in a Christian home with a teaching dad, who always provided for us.

From the day each of us was born to our present age, our life has been shared with daddy. He was there in all we did. Whether he agreed or disagreed with us, he knew the wise counsel to give us and to support us. His response to our needs was usually a long lesson and conversation.

We endured them knowing at the end, he would give us what we needed.

Daddy blessed us to enjoy the best in life.

Daddy was our first teacher. He encouraged us to take advantage of the positive opportunities of life. Our lives have taken us many places, but the origin of these journeys begin with our daddy who would take us on Sunday rides throughout Barnesville and then other destinations to see and to visit family throughout the nation. He always drove and knew where to go without a map.

Wherever we go from here, whatever we do from here, we will go and do it carrying the legacy of Horace A. Hightower. We salute you daddy as the Greatest Father of all times.

~ Marc, Zach, Duran, and Chris Valor means my granddaddy, Horace A. Hightower. He is full of strength, courage, and boldness! My granddaddy is the strongest, the boldest, and the most courageous man in the world. If he can’t fix it, it can’t be fixed.

If he says it is right, it is right; if he says it ain’t right, it ain’t right! And I know what I am talking about because my granddaddy has taught me that when you are right and you know you’re right, stand on it.

~ Darius

Man of Valor Birthday Celebration 2009 To the world, he was a hero, supporter, educator, caretaker, jokester, meathead and so much more amazing things!

To me... I am his baby girl! And he is my grandpa! Love You forever Paw! Paw! If we searched the whole world over we would never find a Grandpa who is more caring or more kind not just to me but to everybody he met!

~ Amber C. Hightower

a faithful A True Lamar County Trojan “Your legacy is every life you touched” “Every time you encountered Mr. Horace Hightower, you can bet on 3 things: a warm, genuine smile, Mrs. Gwen liely by his side, and the LC logo proudly displayed somewhere on his attire.

Horace was one of the longest serving school board members in the history of Georgia with 42 years of service (1979-2020).

He was an integral part of making the Lamar County School system what it is today. He advocated for all children, and was a proud leader of the Trojan Nation. His impact on the Lamar County School System and our community will be seen for generations. If you knew him, you not only respected him, but you also loved him.” ~ Dr. Jute Wison, Superintendent, Lamar County Schools “Deacon Hightower helped to shape my life when the Lord saved my soul. He taught me biblical principles as well as life lessons. The pillar of a strong, black model family. Your mom and dad are my Huxtibles!” ~ Pastor Reginald House “Your dad was at every game. He coached us from the stands and always had something encouraging to tell us every the game. He was there when he did not have to be there.” ~ Stanley Lyons He loved all people, athlete or not; he always gave us an honest assessment about sports or life.” ~ Rodney Fletcher “He meant so much to the community of Barnesville.” ~ Vincent Hardin “Your dad was such a great man that I admired and loved dearly because of regardless of my shortcomings he always continued to love me. “ ~ Alex Richardson “I for one am going to miss seeing him after my football games.

In high school, he treated me like a superstar. Always like family!”~ Billy Kelley Your daddy was a pillar in our community. He helped guys like myself, and he did not even know it. He did not call me a “bad kid” had no judgment. His legacy will live on for all he did in the community.” ~ Rafael Horton “He was loved by many; glad I got to see him. He never missed a game!!” ~ CJ Allen “He was no ordinary Papa. There’s no other Papa like him.” ~ Nylan Childs