Mrs. Julia Hightower, lovingly known as "Nanny", was born February 2, 1941 in Farmington, PA. She passed peacefully from this life on May 2, 2022 at her home in Carthage. She was one of five children born to the marriage of Michael Angelo and Mary Ethel Fordyce Lesko and was raised and schooled in the Dallas area. She married Frederick James Hightower and they celebrated 62 years together. Nanny enjoyed painting, arts and crafts and spending time with her family. She was a member of Friendship Baptist Church and later a member of Antioch Baptist Church after moving. Nanny enjoyed the fellowship with her church family, but her greatest love was her children. She owned the local dress shop, Fancy Wear, where she loved to interact with the community. Nanny loved taking care of small children late into her seventies. She was known in the family as a "Premier Gold Member Status" and "Queen Bee" of the QVC shopping network. She could bling with the best of them.

Mrs. Hightower is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Arthor William Lesko and a sister, Norene Katherine Hightower.

Nanny is survived by her loving husband, Fred of Carthage; sons, David of Carthage, Jay and wife Laurie of Beckville; daughters, Vickie of Harleton, Lori of Whitehouse; and Stephanie and husband Brandon of Kilgore; grandchildren, Jacqueline, Brooklyn, Brannon, Brandy, Cassie, Shannon, Hillary, Hannah and husband Payton, Brynne and husband Ty, McKenzy, Jackson, Hudson, Ashley and husband Josh, Drew and Audrey; 20 great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild; brother, Raymond Michael Lesko of Little Rock, AR; sister, Patricia Aline Autry of Ft. Worth. Numerous other relatives and friends also survive Mrs. Hightower.

The family will hold a memorial service for Mrs. Hightower at 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 5, 2022 at the Antioch Baptist Church with Bro. Bob Scott and Pastor Vaugn Henry officiating.

The family would like to thank Hearts Way Hospice for all the loving care given to our Nanny.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home.