Glend Otis (Hamp) Hightower

On February 14, 1960, Robert L. Hightower, Sr. and Eddie Merl Lee Hightower welcomed a son into their growing family and they named him Glend Otis Hightower. Glend somehow acquired the nickname “Hamp” as a young boy and was called and known by that name for the rest of his life. He was born and raised in Huntsville, Texas.

Hamp attended the Huntsville Independent School District and graduated from Huntsville High School in 1978. He was employed by the State Highway Department for several years until he endured a tragic accident on the job and lost the lower half of his right arm. He was down, but never out. He recovered, regrouped and regained his independence. With God’s help and his strong determination, he learned to fully function with the use of only one hand. It was often said that Hamp could do more with one hand than most people could do with two. Never one to sit around for long, Hamp was energetic, and always on the go. He surprised a lot of people when he became a diesel truck driver. He drove for many years all over the United States and loved every minute of it. He loved people and was always up for a good domino game.

Hamp accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and joined church at a very young age. At the time of his death, he was an active member of Thessalonia Missionary Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon under the leadership of Pastor Clenard L. Hightower. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his oldest brother, Thomas E. Hightower.

Hamp leaves to cherish his memory, children, Shelton Hightower; of Manville, NJ, Roshunda Biendeau; of Kileen, TX, and daughter, Gabrielle Johnson; of Memphis, TN; siblings, Bernadine Chaple; of Austin, TX, Johnnie Ann Ray; of Katy, TX, Robert L. Hightower, Jr.; of San Antonio, TX, Clenard L. Hightower; of Huntsville, TX, Velva D. Fisher, Huntsville, TX, Deneice L. Davis; of Huntsville, TX, Doris J. Morris; Huntsville, TX, Moses Hightower; of Huntsville, TX, and Minnie R. Jennings; of Huntsville, TX, 3 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, and many, many nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends.

Glend Otis “Hamp” Hightower will be greatly missed by all who were blessed to know and love him.