C. Joyce Hightower

Lakewood, CO

C. Joyce (Gilgert) Hightower

July 18, 1921 - November 17, 2007

C. Joyce Hightower, originally of Stockton and recently of Lakewood, CO passed away November 17, 2007 at the Bear Creek Manor Nursing Home in Morrison, CO. She was 86 years old, being born July 18, 1921. Mrs. Hightower was born in the Collegeville area west of Stockton where her parents (the Gilgert family) operated the Collegeville Market at Mariposa Rd and Jack Tone Rd. She went to school in Stockton and finished at the Bible Institute of Los Angeles with a diploma in 1941. She worked in the factories for the war effort and became associated with a young growing ministry known as The Navigators, located in San Diego. Through this association she moved to Brooklyn, NY. In 1943 she married Richard W. (Dick) Hightower of San Jose, CA. They resided in Brooklyn until moving in 1946 to the British East Africa country of Tanganyika Territory in the town of Mawanza under the African Inland Mission (AIM). There they operated a Christian Bookstore and taught and discipled indigenous ministers of Protestant Christianity of various denominations.

In 1955 Joyce and her family returned to the United States. They again became associated with The Navigators until 1961 when they became associated with The Fellowship Foundation (formerly International Christian Leadership). In this ministry they conducted Bible studies and one-on-one discipleship with individuals in commercial and political leadership. This format of ministry was conducted in Pennsylvania on the city and state level. Then the Hightowers returned to Africa in 1967, first with two years in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and then three years in Nairobi Kenya working on territorial, state and national levels. Joyce and Dick returned to the United States in 1973, residing in West Chester, PA where they ministered until 1981 when Dick passed away from ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). In 1983 Joyce returned to the family home in Collegeville, where she resided living and doing occasional ministry. She was a Daughter of the American Revolution. In 2003 Joyce moved to Colorado to live with her middle son, Jack, and his wife, Mary. At his time Joyce had developed dementia, and was not capable of independent living. On November 12, 2007 she suffered a cerebral hemorrhage which resulted in her subsequent passing on November 17, 2007.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Dick; her brother, Leroy of Lodi; her sister, Jean of Portland, OR; her youngest son, Rick and oldest (step) son, Gary. She is survived by her brother, Irving and sister-in-law, Janice Gilgert of Ceres; sons, Ron (Ft. Myers, FL), Jack (Lakewood, CO) and Bill (New Port Richey, FL) and various grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Viewing will be open to friends and family at the Wallace-Martin Funeral Home at 520 N. Sutter on Sunday November 25, 2007 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. On Monday November 26, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. a Memorial Service will be held at the Park View Cemetery & Chapel following with the graveside committal. This is in Manteca at 3661 E. French Camp Rd. just west of Hwy 99.