Carol Lee Hightower

Carol Lee Hightower
October 19, 1947 - January 31, 2023
Fresno, California - Carol was the beloved daughter of Jane (Olson) and Charles Hightower. She was born in Fresno, and raised in L.A. After graduating from Crescenta Valley High School and attending Long Beach City College, she began her career at American Express, and then at the California Mart in the clothing business. From there she spent 12 years in the Entertainment Industry as a member of the Screen Actors Guild. After returning to Fresno, she spent 15 years in retail, well known as the owner and operator of the Crabtree and Evelyn store, in Fashion Fair and Fig Garden Village. She loved her store and her customers. Later, she was very successful raising record numbers of funding in the Charitable sector. She served on her homeowners Board of Directors for several years. Carol's intelligence, warmth and charismatic personality allowed her to excel at everything she did.
Carol loved to entertain in her beautiful home and garden. She was quite the hostess, and a talented cook. Her dinner parties and Bar-B-Q's legendary. Her home was always warm, welcoming, and full of love, music, great wine and flowers. Her garden was an expression of her love of nature. There wasn't anything she couldn't grow. She loved all animals, four legged or winged, and her dogs lived cherished lives.
Carol was a free spirit and a romantic, who loved deeply and forgave easily. She loved and protected her family, and friends. Her love and respect for her parents, was well known, as she included them in every aspect of her life. Carol lived close by her Mom after her Dad's passing, and was a constant source of joy for her. Carol and her two sisters, were not just raised together, but they remained best friends for life. She was a 'second Mom' to her beloved four nieces, Carrie, Suzanne, Kelly and Nicole. They and their families, were the light of her life. She spoiled them with love and attention. She had many friends from all avenues. She treated them all with the same respect and dignity. If you knew Carol, you were blessed. She was generous, with her time, and money. She protected, and wanted the best, for everyone. Carol had glamorous adventures and traveled the world, but one of her most favorite things to do was to spend time at the family cabin at Huntington Lake, memories she made there, were closest to her heart.
She leaves behind her be loved sisters and brother-in-law, Linda Hightower, and Sally (Dick) Lippin; her four nieces, Carrie Kirschner, Suzanne (John) Carnaroli, Kelly (Torrance) Pearce, Nicole (Michael) Burgess and eight great-nieces and nephews, Chase and Katelyn, Elena and Charlie, Ava and Dax, London and Donovan; cousins Elizabeth Looney (Blair) and family, Peter and Bill Dennison; many extended Barr Family cousins.
We thank the staff of River Bluffs Memory Care Faculty, and Hinds Hospice for the excellent care, respect and friendship they gave our beloved Carol.
Donations in Carol's name may be may be made to the Animal charity of your choice.
Services will be held February 24, 2023 at noon, Lisle Funeral Home, 1606 L. Street, Fresno, Ca.