Arietta Cluck Hightower
Arietta Hightower, of Newcastle, Oklahoma, 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 in 1940, she married Clenton Hightower in in Chickasha, Oklahoma. While Clenton served in the US Navy, Arietta worked at Tinker Air Force Base as a “Rosie the Riveter” during WWII, then at Armour Company in Chickasha.
After Clenton completed his Navy service and finished his degree at Oklahoma University, 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, and in Colorado then retired from Newcastle Public Schools. She and Clenton lived in Newcastle for 46 years.
She loved reading, gardening growing beautiful flowers and she was an excellent seamstress and 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.
She loved telling stories about growing up in Oklahoma, especially during the Dust Bowl days. She attended Snow Hill Baptist Church in Newcastle. She was preceded in death by: her parents; husband Clenton; sisters Ella Irvin, Hazel Mills, Imogene Cook; and brothers in law, 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, 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; greatgrandchildren, 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, and 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, nephew Robert Hightower of Norman, 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, health care providers, and for the love and concern of the members of Snow Hill Baptist Church.
Services will be 11 a.m., Friday, September 3, 2021, at Snow Hill Baptist Church in Tuttle. Interment will follow at Fairlawn Cemetery in Chickasha 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. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.fergusonfuneralhome.com.