Mrs. Jerry Lee Hightower

HIGHTOWER, Mrs. Jerry Lee - Age 85, departed to her Heavenly home Wednesday, September 11, 2013 at Gentiva Hospice. Family hour 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 20, 2013 at New Jerusalem Full Gospel Baptist Church, 1035 E. Carpenter Rd., with funeral service commencing at 11 a.m. Pastor Patrick W. Sanders, Sr., officiating. Interment Flint Memorial Park Cemetery, G-9506 N. Dort Hwy. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:30 a.m. Friday. Mrs. Hightower will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 12 noon-8 p.m. Thursday. Mrs. Jerry Lee Hightower was born January 14, 1928 in Little Rock, Arkansas to William and Dora Webb. Jerry knew the Lord and was baptized at an early age in Augusta, Arkansas. She attended Little Rock Public Schools until she moved to Kansas City, Missouri in her later teenage years. Jerry then moved back to Arkansas where she attended Charmain Business School. She then moved to St. Louis, Missouri in the 1950’s where she met and married the late Samuel Harris. This union birthed her one and only child, Wanda Faye. She continued her career in business and also modeled. Jerry always enjoyed looking good from head to toe. She later returned to her home in Little Rock where she became a registered nurse at the Arkansas Children’s Hospital until her retirement. In 1971, Jerry moved to Flint, Michigan where she joined the New Jerusalem Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Bishop Odis A. Floyd. She then met and married Reverend James Hightower Jr. in 1983. Jerry was very instrumental in the construction of the Youth Usher Board uniforms at New Jerusalem. She attended faithfully until her health declined in 2007. Jerry enjoyed cooking for her husband, family and friends up until her departure to her heavenly home on September 11, 2013. She leaves to cherish in her memory: beloved husband, Rev. James Hightower Jr.; daughters, Wanda Faye Harris and Claudia “Nina” Dixon; grandchildren, Shawn D. Harris Sr. and Mia A. Harris, whom she raised with Rev. Hightower, Daquin and Contisa Hightower, all of Flint; great-grandchildren, Shawn D. Harris Jr., Amari N. Harris of Georgia, Niygeriah A. Harris of Flint, Kaleek J. Harris of Southfield, MI and Kourtlynn L. Harris of Taylor, MI; two sisters, Edith Mae Walker and Juanita (Fred) Henderson; one brother, Charles Webb of Little Rock, AR; a host of nieces, nephews, several brothers and sisters-in-law especially Paul and Michael (Sheryl) Hightower; Jerry also leaves behind close friends, Ms. Earnestine Allen, Mrs. Barbara Kirkland, close neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Johnson, Mrs. Sarah Reagor, Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Smith and the New Jerusalem Full Gospel Baptist Church family. Mrs. Hightower was preceded in death by: her daughter, Deborah Hightower; grandson, Jaquos Hightower; parents, William and Dora Webb; sisters, Margaret Woods, Wilma Coats, Geneva Carter, Lillie Mae Williams, Mae Jane Thomas and Mabel Purnell; niece, Alva Rae Walker; nephew, Pascal Joe Walker; mother and father-in-law, James Sr. and Edna Lee Hightower. The family would like to extend a very special hand of thanks to her doctor of 35 years, Dr. Linda Norrell and staff, The Oaks at Woodfield, Genesys P.H.O., Genesys Regional Medical Center and Gentiva Hospice as well as Pastor Patrick Sanders, Sr. and the New Jerusalem Full Gospel Baptist Church, Elder LaValley and all those who had the opportunity to visit with her before her departure.

Mrs. Jerry Lee Hightower

January 14, 1928 - September 11, 2013