Tommy Hightower

Tommy Hightower, age 86, of Rison, went to be with the lord, Thursday, September 1, 2016 at his home. He was born August 27, 1930 in Bastrop, Louisiana, a son of the late Henry Hightower and Pearlie Osbon Hightower. Mr. Hightower graduated from Bastrop High School. He later became a supervisor at the International Paper Mill for twenty years and worked until he was eighty-four years old then retired from W & A Manufacturing Company. Mr. Hightower started playing the piano at the age of fifteen, and played on several radio stations in Louisiana and was on the Louisiana Hayride television show in the fifties. He was an accomplished musician, enjoyed playing music professionally on the road, and also played with many well known artists from the Grand Ole Opry. He was a dedicated member of the Rison Baptist Church, and also a member of the Pine Bluff Masonic Lodge #69 for fifty years. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, James and Bert Hightower.

Survivors include his loving wife of forty-eight years, Ida M. Pennington Hightower of Rison whom he married February 29, 1968; daughters, Linda Cullom (Bruce), of Wake Village, Texas, Donna Woodson (Jim) also of Wake Village, Texas; brother, Travis Hightower of Bastrop, Louisiana; sisters, Marie Crain of Bastrop, Louisiana, Rozell Arant (Charles) of Spring, Texas; grandsons, Justin Woodson and Bruce Cullom Jr (Leanne).

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, September 4, 2016 at Buie Funeral Home with Brother Danny Allen officiating. Interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery at Rison. Visitation will be 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Saturday, September 3, 2016. Pallbearers are Roth Rabb, Cleve Reed, Bill McKnight, Jeff Beliew, Clay Totty, Ricky Fore, Vernon Dollar, and Lamar Jennings. Memorials may be made to the Rison Baptist Church. Funeral arrangements are by Buie Funeral Home of Rison. (870)325-6216