Arietta Hightower of Newcastle OK was born August 17, 1921 in Middleburg Oklahoma to George T and Elburty Prater Cluck. She passed away August 28, 2021 at the age of 100 years and 11 days. She was able to stay in her home until the age of 99 years. She graduated from Middleburg High School in 1939 where she lettered in Basketball. Soon after graduation she married Clenton Hightower in 1940 in Chickasha, OK. While Clenton served in the US Navy, she worked at Tinker AFB as a “Rosie the Riveter” during WWII, then Armour Company in Chickasha. After Clenton completed his Navy service and finished his degree at OU, she attended college at Oklahoma College for Women and later received a Master’s Degree in Education from Central State College. She taught school in Chickasha and Tuttle, OK and Colorado then retired from Newcastle Public Schools. She and Clenton lived in Newcastle for 46 years. She loved reading, gardening growing beautiful flowers as well as being an excellent seamstress and excellent cook. She loved to research family genealogy and travel. She and Clenton were especially fond of Colorado spending many happy summers with family and friends at their summer home in Woodland Park, CO.
She loved telling stories about growing up in Oklahoma especially during the Dust Bowl days. She attended Snow Hill Baptist Church in Newcastle OK. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Clenton, sisters Ella Irvin, Hazel Mills, Imogene Cook and Brother in Laws, Gordon Mills and Albert Cook. She was also preceded in death by Grandson, James E. Leonard. She is survived by daughters Rowena Hall (husband Bill Hall), of Norman, OK and Clinette Leonard (husband Dr. Joseph Leonard) also of Norman; Grandchildren, Joe Foley and wife Deana, Jennifer Hall Connolly and husband Dr. Mike Connolly of Draper, Utah, Dr. Jason Leonard and wife Carrie of Norman. Great Grandchildren: Hope Foley, Jarrod Foley, Ashleigh Green, and Autumn Mayberry, Jacob, Anna Kate and Ethan Connolly, Corbin and Colin Leonard; Great Great grandchildren: Trey and Cyarra Green; Braden, Caden and Alexis Mayberry, Axzl and Haizel Foley. She also leaves behind Brother-in-law Rudy and wife Douleta Hightower of Elgin and their extended family, niece Carlotta Mauldin and husband Roger of Mounds, OK, nephew Robert Hightower of Norman, OK. and several great nieces and nephews. Arietta had a long and productive life. She was loved by her family and friends. The family wishes to thank all her physicians, healthcare providers and for the love and concern of the members of Snow Hill Baptist Church.
Services will be 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 3, 2021 at Snow Hill Baptist Church in Tuttle, OK. Interment will follow at Fairlawn Cemetery, Chickasha, OK under the direction of Ferguson Funeral Home. There will be no viewing at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Snow Hill Baptist Church.