Dianne Hightower (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Dianne Hightower, daughter of James E. “Junior” and Wilma Irene “Billie” Hilton Thompson, was born June 26, 1942, in Lebanon, Missouri. She departed this life Saturday, October 23, 2010, in Christian Health Care South, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of sixty-eight years, three months, and twenty-seven days.
On March 9, 1963, she was united in marriage to Charles E. Hightower, and to this union one daughter and one son were born.
Her parents preceded her in death.
Dianne is survived by her husband of forty-seven years, Charles, of the home; a daughter, Julie Jones, and her husband, David, of Lebanon, Missouri; a son, C. E. Hightower, and his wife, Debbie, of Springfield, Missouri; four grandchildren, Michelle Hicks, and her fiancé, Jon Helton, McKenna Hightower, Connor Hicks, and Casen Hightower; three step-grandchildren, Whitney, Dylan, and Macy Jones; a sister, Sue Griffith, and her husband, Marvin, of Lebanon, Missouri; two sisters-in-law, Faye Neasby, and her husband, Ralph, of Lebanon, Missouri, and Patty Crain, and her husband, Charles, of Springfield, Missouri; a brother-in-law, Ervin Mackie, of Grovespring, Missouri; a number of nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends.
She was born and raised in the Lebanon community, and graduated from Lebanon High School in the Class of 1960. After she and Charles were married, they made their home near Lebanon, and lovingly raised their two children. In addition to being a devoted homemaker to her husband and family, Dianne owned and operated International Tours, a travel agency in Lebanon, for several years. She also helped Charles in his business endeavors and really enjoyed buying, fixing up and selling houses.
Dianne professed her faith in Christ at the age of six and was a longtime member of First Baptist Church. She loved her church family and enjoyed the fellowship offered there.
She was a travel enthusiast and had traveled all over the world. She particularly enjoyed traveling to New York City many times with the Lebanon High School Heritage Classes. She liked attending the Ava Horse Show each year and loved spending time with her grandchildren. She was a very detail oriented person that did things thoroughly, no matter what the task. She liked to shop, but was happiest when finding a true bargain. She placed her family and her faith at the center of her life and treasured the moments shared with her family.
Dianne was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt, and was a kind and caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and her accomplishments, and know that she has made special memories for each of her family members and friends that they will cling to for years to come.
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