Sara Hightower

Sara was born at home in Tyler, Texas, in 1930, to her parents Ivan and Lois Davenport. Sara was the youngest, born after her sister, Martha, and brother Shelby. Sara graduated high school and then attended Tyler Junior College where she was one of the early Apache Belles. During that period of her life, Sara was a swimming instructor for the Red Cross and fondly remembered the time when her class was comprised of young soldiers. She also had the opportunity to train with the junior Olympic diving team. Later, Sara was able to attend North Texas State College due to the kindness and generosity of Mr. Caldwell, a family friend in Tyler, who provided financial support. At North Texas Sara was a cheerleader, completed her degree in education, and met and fell in love with a football player, her future husband, Wayne.

Sara and Wayne married just before Christmas in 1950. They lived at times in Dallas, Marlin, and Houston, welcoming five children. The family enjoyed extensive camping trips around the United States and floating the Frio River. Once the older children left home, Sara and Wayne relocated to Uvalde with their daughter, Nancy, where they eventually learned that the local folks called them “the older couple with an only child.” Having already survived four teenagers, that was a riot.

While balancing demands as a mother and housewife, Sara also worked and volunteered outside the home. She was active in elementary education, working as a teacher, and eventually wound up as the principal at St. Philip’s Episcopal School in Uvalde. As an educator, Sara was inspired when she stumbled upon the Lindamood-Bell teaching methodology, which addresses dyslexia and other reading comprehension challenges. Literacy was a passion for Sara. She implemented the Lindamood-Bell curriculum at St. Philip’s and also volunteered untold hours helping people learn to read. The first student that she taught to read at St. Philip’s eventually wound up as the quarterback on a college football team. Years later, he returned to tell Sara that he would never have been able to go to college had she not taught him to read. Upon retirement, Sara and Wayne relocated to Bryan/College Station to be closer to family. Once here, they continued giving to others through extensive support of Still Creek Ranch, a home for troubled youth. Sara continued to teach both adults and kids to read at the ranch while she and Wayne also provided substantial financial support to the mission, along the way becoming very close friends with Margaret and Danny O’Quinn, who founded and directed Still Creek Ranch. Over the years, Sara volunteered her services to teach well over 100 people to read. She transformed their lives with the gift of literacy.

One of the most momentous aspects of Sara’s life was her spiritual journey with her Lord and savior, Jesus Christ. When she and Wayne first became born again, they moved the family across Houston to be part of the community at the Church of the Redeemer, a charismatic Episcopal church. Life at the Church of the Redeemer was all encompassing. Every Saturday for years, the dining table at home was covered with flowers as she prepared the flower arrangements for Sunday service while communion bread baked in the oven. During their time there, Sara and Wayne invited into their home numerous people who were seeking refuge and guidance, including: a mother with two kids, fleeing domestic violence; troubled youth from bad home situations; and a Catholic nun questioning her vows. They offered love, support, and stability to those in need.

Later in life, Sara completed a spiritual director’s course to help others on their journey, touching many people—no doubt including many here today. She also heard the Lord tell her to organize the church youth group to write, produce, and act in plays. For several years, she supported the youth theater group. While she routinely said, “I don’t really do anything but show up,” typically with her famous chocolate chip cookies—the fact is that she created the opportunity for those youth to delve deeper into their own spiritual path and explore the powerful world of theater to communicate God’s love to a wider audience.

Sara is survived by her children, son and daughter-in-law, David Hightower and Julie Peak, son and daughter-in-law Bill and Pat Hightower, daughter Lisa Hightower, daughter Kathryn Hightower, and daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Jonathan Eaker. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Jennifer and Vinnie Ferrigno, Bill Hightower, Lucas Vecchio and Nicole Monica, Erin and Bekari (Bek) Gabritchidze, Brooke and Mishael Gonzalez, Jacob Eaker, and Hollie and Matt Williams, as well as her great grandchildren Vada and Wren Vecchio, Gunner Hightower, Brooke, Emma, and Max Westling, and Clark and Millie Williams.

Sara’s health remained excellent until very recently, when an unexpected diagnosis brought her departure sooner than expected. There were multiple blessings: she lived independently well into her 90s, was socially active in her community, was surrounded by loved ones, and, she never had to experience loneliness or fear of dying. Once the end was evident, it came quickly. She passed in peace with loved ones all around. Toward the end, the same thoughts were expressed over and over by those in her life: they loved her because she gave love unconditionally and demonstrated gratitude by expressing thanks every day for even the smallest things. And in turn, God rewarded her for being a good and faithful servant.

In lieu of flowers, Sara requested that donations be made to Hospice Brazos Valley.