Edward (Ed) Clifton Hightower
Edward (Ed) Hightower Obituary
Mr. Edward Clifton “Ed” Hightower, age 93, of Vidalia, died, Monday, April 27, 2026, at Wendover Hospice House in Shelby, North Carolina. He was born in Tarrytown on August 21, 1932, to the late Charlie Q. Hightower and Ida Lillian Atkins Hightower. He was a 1949 graduate of Kibbee High School, and soon after, he enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Korean War Era. Following his discharge of service in 1954, he worked with Oxford Industries. In 1972, Mr. Hightower and his wife founded Hightower, Inc., a retail clothing store in Kings Mountain, North Carolina which they operated until 1985. Later, they returned to Vidalia where he lived the rest of his life before recently returning to Kings Mountain to be with his daughter. He was a 64-year member of Fairview Masonic Lodge # 339 in Kings Mountain. He was a member of The Gideons International and Smith Street Baptist Church where he served as a deacon.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Flora Mae Davis Hightower; and siblings, Joseph Bryant Hightower, Hershel George Hightower, Grady Levaughn Hightower, Kenneth Wafford Hightower, Martin Hightower, Mary Hightower McKay and Carrie Lou McDonald.
He is survived by his devoted daughter, Gail Hightower Baber and husband Don of Kings Mountain; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday evening from 6:00 until 8:00.
The funeral service will be held on Friday afternoon, May 1st, 2026, at 3:00 in the chapel of Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home with Pastor Chester Proctor officiating. Interment will follow at North Thompson Baptist Church Cemetery with Military Honors.
In lieu of flowers and for the Word of God to continue to spread, it was Mr. Hightower’s wishes that memorial donations be made to The Gideons International, PO Box 156, Vidalia, GA 30475.
Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home of Vidalia is in charge of arrangements.
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