Mary Virginia Hightower

01/15/1930 - 06/12/2022

Obituary For Mary Virginia Hightower

Mrs. Mary Virginia Hightower, 92, of Columbus, GA passed Sunday, June 12, 2022 in Decatur, GA.

Funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. EST, Saturday, June 18, 2022 at Greater Shady Grove Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Marcus J. Gibson, officiating. Interment to follow in Green Acres Cemetery, Columbus, GA. There will be no public visitation.

I have fought a good fight I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. II Timothy 4:7

Mother Mary Adams Hightower was born in Fort Mitchell, Alabama on January 15, 1930. She was the fourth of eight children born to Will and Edna Stephens Adams. She graduated from South Girard High School in Phenix City, Alabama.

Mother Hightower committed herself to Christ at an early age, she joined the Mount Olive Baptist Church in Fort Mitchell, Alabama. She later joined the Greater Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Columbus, Georgia. During her faithful service she was appointed as one of the Church Mothers. As a devoted and loyal member of Greater Shady Grove, she served diligently and faithfully in many ministries within the church. She was a member of the Music Ministry, Mass Choir, Choraliers, and the Fifty Plus Ministry. She was also a member of the Voices of Victory and the East Alabama Mass Choir.

Mother Hightower career started in retail sales at various shops in Columbus, Georgia. She had established clients who specifically requested her for her service and sales expertise. After another career change, she became a Teacher’s Assistant at Rose Hill Elementary School and later at the Hannah Elementary School in Columbus, Georgia. During those career changes, her commitment to family always balanced with her work, and she took great pride in accomplishing her goals as a mother. She was determined to bring her children up in the nurture admonition of the Lord.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas L. Hightower; father, Will Adams; mother, Edna Stephens Adams; brother, Jimmy L. Adams, Samuel L. Adams and sister, Lizzie A. Owens.

With her kind heart and loving smile, she leaves to cherish her memories her beloved children, Valarie Hightower Burnette, Decatur, Georgia, Thomas L. Hightower (Mary), Hinesville, Georgia, Monica Hollinger (Derek), Lithonia, Georgia; one brother, Willie F. Adams (Hazel), Indianapolis, Indiana; three sisters, Genola A. Burke, Dublin, Georgia, Bertha A. Owens (James), Atlanta, Georgia and Linda A. Jolly, Conyers, Georgia; granddaughters, Shanira Hightower, Brittney Burnette and Asia Hollinger; grandsons, Dontrell Burnette, Lymistic S. Hightower and Branden Hightower; seven great-grandchildren and a host nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Mother Hightower meant so much to so many including, Rev. Dr. Marcus J. Gibson. Michale Robinson and her Greater Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church family. Her passing leaves a void that will never be filled.