Life Celebration of James David Hightower Sr. September 22, 1929- February 24, 2014, Reverend Michael Baldwin, Officiant, Pastor, Christians For Change Baptist Church, Riverdale, Georgia

LIFE CELEBRATION OF
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SEPTEMBER 22, 1929 - FEBRUARY 24, 2014
REVEREND MICHAEL BALDWIN, OFFICIANT PASTOR, CHRISTIANS FOR CHANGE BAPTIST CHURCH
RIVERDALE, GEORGIA

Processional Bertha Hightower-Smith, Flutist Accompanied by Everett " Duke" Ellington, Pianist
Selection Pass Me Not
Mr. Frank Toodle, Grandson
Old Testament John W. Waters, Ph.D., Senior Pastor Emeritus
The Greater Solid Rock Baptist Church
New Testament Reverend Ruffin Washington Christians for Change Baptist Church
Prayer Reverend Michael Smith Christians for Change Baptist Church
Selection Center of My Joy Christians for Change Baptist Church and Reunited Voices Choirs
Reflections Reverend Dr. Douglas E. Stowers, Pastor
Mount Calvary Baptist Church Reverend Thomas Ashford, Member of the "Bowden Boys"
HJC Bowden Senior Center
Resolutions Christians for Change Board of Deacons New Era Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia, Inc.
Selection Somebody Ought to Tell God Thank You
Choirs
Eulogy Reverend Baldwin
Acknowledgements Mrs. Lynita Smith, Granddaughter
Recessional
How Great Is Our God
Choirs

God took the strength of a mountain, The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun, The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature, The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages, The power of the eagle's flight, The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed, The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need, Then God combined these qualities, When there was nothing more to add, He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it ... Dad!
J.D.'s remains will be interred at College Park Cemetery, College Park Georgia with his beloved childhood sweetheart and wife, Effie Mae Hill Hightower. The family requests your presence following the interment at a repast and a program of music, verse and reflections.
Christians for Change Baptist Church 21 10 Bethsaida Road
Riverdale, Georgia 30296

(Q)BU1rUARY
On a Saturday afternoon around four o'clock, a baby boy was born. The date was September 22,
1928. The location was in a two-room house on a dirt road called Cook's Crossing Road, now known as Old National Highway. At that time it was in Campbell County, later renamed Fulton County, Georgia. He was named James David (J.D.). He was delivered by a mid-wife, name unknown. This is the when, where, and how I made my grand entrance onto the stage of life. Weighing in at nine pounds, I was the largest, and last, child born to Mrs. Annie Lee (Harp) Hightower.
My father was Mr. Horace Hightower. He sometimes signed his name as H.C. even though he had no
middle name. They had previously parented two children, Horace Jr. (Bud), born November 15, 1924
and Annie Ruth, born December 17, 1926. They were both born somewhere in Fayette County, Georgia. My paternal grandparents were Mr. Mitchell Hightower (Po Mitch) and Mrs. Bertha (Hood) Hightower (Ma Bertha). My maternal grandparents were Mr. Frank Harp (Po Frank) and Mrs. Frances Ella Lou (Harris) Harp (Ma Lou). Both my paternal and maternal ancestors' roots were in Fayette County, Georgia.
So begins the memoir written by J.D. Hightower which is the core of a book project that he started and charged the descendents of his parents to continue. He intended that this undertaking would be an invaluable family history for generations yet unborn. This endeavor reflects his life-long passion for learning and for sharing his knowledge with others.
J.D. attended College Park Colored Elementary School which was later renamed for Mr. J.F. Beavers, a prominent black College Park resident. He w ent on to complete eighth grade at the East Point Colored School, w hich b ecame South Fulton High School, an d then attended Booker T. Washington High School. While in high school, J.D. jo ined the Boys Cho rus and the Glee Club. He grew to realize that music could be an inspirational force and this became the impetus that led him to organize a gospel singing group with some of his peers. They named the group "The Harmony Five".
The original Harmony Five members were Edward Griffin, John Henry Bussey, James Clements, J.C. Whitaker and J.D. Hightower. Mr. Johnny B. Jones became the manager and others who later joined w ere West Harris, John ' Bubba ' Cox and Ma rvin Harris. They sang in churches in College Park and surrounding communities and t ra velled to engagements in Tennessee, South Co rolina and other Georgia towns. Mr. Jones also negotiated with WATL ra dio station for the group to make a few broadcasts. J.D. continued to enjoy singing through membership in church and community choirs.
Self-reliance and self-discipline kicked in early for J.D. He entered the world of work at age 12 selling found objects to the local junkman and caddying at the College Park Golf course to earn the f ive d o ll ar fee to attend the Boy Scout Summer Camp.

He obtained his first salaried position the following year as a delivery boy for Anderson 's Drug Store. Later jobs included working as a car hop for Mobley's Barbecue on Virginia Avenue in College Park and managing a paper route for the Atlanta Journal. In high school, he followed in his brother's footsteps and enrolled in the tailoring class. He acquired the skills to obtain a job making alterations for M&M men's clothing store in downtown Atlanta at Mitchell and Broad Streets.
After high school, J.D. enlisted in the U.S. Army embarking on a military career that spanned a period of 24 years. One of his cherished assignments was serving as the Senior Administrative Assistant to the Chief of Chaplains in Verdun-Meuse, France. Other assignments took him and his family to Schweinfurt, Germany, where he attained the rank of Sergeant First Class was a graduate of the Noncommissioned Officer's Academy; and Fort Benning, Georgia where he qualified to instruct at The United States Army Infantry School.
In 1947, J.D. married his childhood sweetheart, Effie Mae Hill of College Park. He states in his memoir, "I
had become infatuated with Effie Mae from the first time I saw her during my first year of school." They had a long marriage that ended with her death in 1985 .
J.D. was a devoted father to his daughters Miriam, Shirley, Marilyn, Arcola, Therese, Adrinna and Cassan dra and his son James. He proudly claimed sixteen grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. He enjoyed spending time with his family at Sunday dinners, family reunions and especially an impromptu game night where he loved to challenge all comers to beat him at a game of Scrabble.
Retirement from the Army brought the opportunity for J.D. to continue his fo rmal education. He returned to school earning a Certificate of Completion in Marketing Management from Atla nta Area Technical School, an A ssoci ate Degree in Accounting f rom Atlanta Junior College, and a Bachelors Degree in Business Admin istration from Georgia State University. He then was employed as an Auditor with the Georgia Department of Re venue from which he retired in 1994.
J.D. was active in his church and community. He joined Friendship Baptist Church of College Park at the tender age of nine. He was ordained as a Deacon in 1986 and served as the first Chairman of the Bo ard of Christian Education. He was also Church School Superintendent and a member of the Senior Missionary Society. He became a member of Christians for Change Baptist Church of Riverdale, G eorg ia se rvin g o n their Deacon Board as well. He taught the Noonday Bible Study and served in the Laymen's Ministry. Other affiliation s included Atlanta Congress of Christians, the Atlanta Baptist Missionary Association Incorporated and the NAACP. He w a s an active and participating member of the New Era M issiona ry Baptist Convention of Georgia, Inc. Laymen's Ministry for over 30 years.
James David Hightower, Sr. passed from this life after a brief illness with pancreatic cancer. Memories of J.D. will live on in the hearts of his family and dear friends. Surviving in the warmth of his love is his beloved sister Mrs. Annie Ruth Price, daughters Ms. Miriam H. Toodle, Mr. and Mrs. Gunzell Alexander (Shirley), Mr. and Mrs. John Pullen (Marilyn), Mr. and Mrs. Levi Robinson (Arcola), Ms. Therese Parker, Ms. Adrinna Scott, Ms. Cassandra Weems (Leland); son, Mr. and Mrs. James D. and Cynthia Hightower, Jr.; aunt Mrs. Erie Hightower; sixteen grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild; several nieces and nephews; the Rainey, Harp and Hightower families. He will be especially missed by his companion Ms. Evelyn Lewis and Ms. Judy Walker for whom he had become "like a father" .
His life was a true testimon y of f a ith a nd service to God, famil y, count ry and community. He overcame much and gave even more. Through his life and death, God has shown us his love and mercy. We praise H_im for the gift of his life and the grace of his death. For _this we will be forever grateful.

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CFC Baptist Church Deacon Board

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CFC Baptist Church Deaconess Board

With Sincere Appreciation to Pastor Reginald Newman and Members Fountain of Faith Missionary Baptist Church
671 2 West Fayetteville Road, Riverdale Georgia 30296 March 1, 2014 11:00 am
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The Hightower Family is grateful to all who expressed their condolences and offered prayers during this difficult time. We ask that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Southwest Christian Care Hospice, 7225 lester Road, Union City, Georgia 30291.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ENTRUSTED TO

Gus Thornhill Funeral Home, Inc.

Precision Graphic Printers, Inc.

East Point, Georgia

College Pa rk, Georgia