Rev. Johnnie J. Hightower

HIGHTOWER, Rev. Johnnie J. - Age 79, passed away Sunday, January 12, 2014 at Regency at Grand Blanc - Grand Blanc, MI. Family hour 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 18, 2014 at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, 1083 E. Stewart Ave. with funeral service commencing at 11 a.m. Rev. Dr. Lewis Randolph officiating. Family and friends will assemble at the Church 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Rev. 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 p.m.-8 p.m. Friday. Rev. Johnnie J. Hightower was born June 13, 1934 in England, Arkansas; the son of the late Dea. James and Edna Hightower. Rev. Hightower was a resident of Flint, formerly of Bartonville, IL, and was a former member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church and Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church. He was ordained under the leadership of the late Rev. Calvin Hightower, Sr., of Peoria, IL. Rev. Hightower worked at BFI in Peoria, IL and MTA in Flint for many years. Rev. Hightower loved spending time with his family and friends, preaching the word of God, traveling, fishing, working on cars and cracking jokes. He also loved watching sports and giving everybody a nickname. Rev. Johnnie J. Hightower leaves to cherish his memory; 4 daughters, Barbara (Andre) Canaday, Vickie Hightower of Houston, TX, Julia Hightower of Peoria, IL and Jazelle Walker of Flint; 2 sons, Virgil Gingery of Fetus, MO and Steve Gingery of Peoria, IL; children he raised, Tonya Hart of East Peoria, IL and Jordan Polk of Flint; grandchildren, Michael, India, and Virgil Gingery Jr., of Missouri; Alexis Gingery of Peoria, IL, Derrick McGee and Jerome Wilson III of E. Peoria, IL, Dominique, Jarrod Session, Jakayla, Canaday, Lasetha and Veola Hightower, all of Houston, TX; 4 great-grandchildren; 3 sisters, Sharon (Rick) Bonner of Swartz Creek, MI, Evelyn Hightower of Jacksonville, FL and Rose (Dave) Latchison of Fenton, MI; 6 brothers, Rev. James Hightower and Dennis Hightower, both of Flint, Michael (LaRonda) Hightower of Clio, MI, Rev. Paul Hightower of Peoria, IL, Rev. Calvin (Pamela) Hightower of Shreveport, LA and Frank Hightower of Granada Hills, CA; a host of nieces and nephews; uncle, Albert (JamesAnne) Hightower; sister-in-law, Ester Merriweather, all of Peoria, IL; a host of cousins, other relatives and friends including special friend, Erika Loper of Mt. Morris, MI. Rev. Hightower was preceded in death by wife, Mary L. Hightower; 5 granddaughters; 1 great-grandchild; parents, Dea. James and Edna Hightower; 3 sisters, Edna Turner, Shirley Porte and Donna Fleming; 2 brothers, Robert Hightower Sr., and Jessie Hightower Sr.; 2 sisters-in-law; 1 brother-in-law; 3 aunts and 5 uncles. The family would like to express special thanks to: Dr. Adams, Dr. Hussun, Dr. Kim, Grand Blanc Regency and staff (Jennifer Pots, Renee, Deborah, Beth and Nancy), Pastor Randolph and Antioch Missionary Baptist Church and the staff of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home.

Rev. Johnnie J. Hightower

June 13, 1934 - January 12, 2014