Andrew Keith, CPC, CFSP

Funeral Director/Embalmer/Manager

Andrew and his wife, Georgina, live in Douglasville and are proud to be a part of this community.  He thoroughly enjoys people, ministering to families and serving others. Andrew Keith is a native of Villa Rica and has been with the Hightower's since 2003. He began his funeral service career in 1998. Having attended West Georgia College pursuing an accounting degree, he felt a gentle tug from God to transfer to Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service and serve the Lord through the ministry of funeral service. Following graduation from mortuary school, he married the love of his life, Georgina  McCarty, in October, 2000.  He is a 1993 Honor Graduate of Villa Rica High School and a 2000 Honor Graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in Atlanta. He received his Funeral Director and Embalmer Licenses in 2001. He is a member of the Academy of Graduate Embalmers of  Georgia, the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice, National Funeral Directors Association and the Georgia Funeral Directors Association. In 2010, Andrew earned the designation of Certified Funeral Service Practice (CFSP).  He is currently the only licensed funeral director living in Douglasville with this distinguished designation.  Andrew is a Georgia licensed insurance agent and a Certified Preplanning Consultant.  Andrew has been with the Hightower Family Funeral Home's since 2003 and has been Manager of Hightower's Memorial Chapel since 2007.  Andrew is a charter member of the Douglas County Lions Club.  You may email Andrew at andrew.keith@hightowersmemorial.com

Richard B. Hightower, Sr.

Funeral Director/Embalmer/Owner

Richard Hightower graduated from Bremen High School in 1955, West Georgia College in 1957and John A. Gupton College of Mortuary Science in Nashville, TN, in1958. He returned to Bremen to assist his father in constructing the area's most modern funeral facility in 1960. In 1974, he master minded a major remodeling and chapel addition to the Martin & Hightower's West Center Street location in Carrollton. As business increased and taxed the capacity of the West Center Street location, in 1985 he built the Martin & Hightower Heritage Chapel on South Park Street as a second location. Richard Hightower was a state and national leader in the development of funeral service. He was selected to the Academy of Graduate Embalmers and served on its board for 12 years. He is a past president of the Academy. He served on the Georgia State Board of Funeral Service from 1990 to 1998, has served on the Board of Directors of Independent Funeral Directors, and is past president of Associated Funeral Directors Service.

Bryant Hightower, CFSP

Funeral Director/Embalmer/Owner

Bryant is a member of the Carrollton Rotary Club, past president of theAcademy of Graduate Embalmers and past president of the Georgia FuneralDirectors Association, as well as past president of Carrollton jayceesand Carrollton Main Street.  Bryant serves on the National FuneralDirectors Association board as a regional representative.  Bryant is aCertified Funeral Service Pratiitioner.  Bryant is also a member ofDMORT (Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team) which is a programof the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.  Bryant and his wife,Cathy have three children and are members of Tabernacle Baptist Church.

William P. 'Bill' Hightower

Funeral Director/Embalmer/Owner

Bill is a third-generation funeral director and embalmer.  He lives in Bremen with his wife Susan.  They have a daughter, Jacqueline and 3 sons, Chris Wright and Tyler and Ryan Smith.  Bill is a graduate of Bremen High School and Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service.  Bill competed with the Bremen Wrestling Team and won the State Championship during high school. Bill and his family are members of the Bremen First United Methodist Church.  Bill and Susan own and operate Ambucare EMS in Haralson County.  Ambucare is a certified EMS provider.  Bill is very active in Bremen and Haralson County community service.  Bill is a member of Bremen Rotary.  He is a member of the Board of Directors for the Haralson County Chamber of Commerce. 

Pat Owen-Parris

Administrative Assistant

Secretary

Pat has been a resident of Douglas County since 1969.  She and her husband, Charles A. Parris, Sr., are members of Central Baptist Church.  Pat has taught Sunday School since 1978 at Central and both her and Charles are very active, each serving on several committees of the church.  Pat worked for Douglas Federal Bank for twenty-nine years, serving as Vice President and Secretary of the Board, and the Compliance and Quality Control Manager.  Since retiring in 2001, she has continued working in compliance and quality control through her self-employment known as Owen Quality Control Management, for DFB Mortgage, Inc. She now enjoys helping those who are hurting from the loss of a loved one and considers her work here at Hightower's Memorial Chapel an opportunity to minister to all she comes in contact with. You may email Pat at pat.parris@hightowersmemorial.com

Russell Walton

Funeral Service Apprentice

Russell joined Hightower's Memorial Chapel in 2009.  Russell is a lifelong resident of Douglas County and a lifelong, active member and Administrator at Sweetwater Baptist Church.  He is a licensed Funeral Service Apprentice.  Russell graduated from Douglas County High School in 1987.  Russell is married to Julie Martin Walton and they have three sons, Justin, Corey and Chris.  Russell is the son of the late Perry James and Betty Nella Jean Hunter Walton.  He is the brother to Keith and Phil Walton and Sherri Walker.  He is an avid fisherman and a member and past president of the Fisher's of Men Bass Club with whom he participates in various BASS tournaments.  Russell also enjoys camping and hunting with his sons.  He is pround to serve the families in our area with genuine care and concern.  You may email Russell at russell.walton@hightowersmemorial.com

Leon Frost

Funeral Assistant

Leon came to Douglasville in 1963 after graduating from Berry College in Rome. He spent many years as an educator and coach. He was principal of Temple High and Elementary Schools, Fairplay Middle School and an administrator at Lithia Springs High School from which he retired in 1998. Leon is a member of First United Methodist Church, Douglasville. He is a volunteer with the Lovings Hands Ministry and also does volunteer work with Senoir Citizens and other community projects. Leon's service to families is a ministry of his own.  He considers it an honor and a blessing to be able to assist families with funeral services.

James Edward Carden

Funeral Assistant

Mr. Carden is a native to West Georgia and has lived his entire life in the area.  He worked for Sears and Roebuck as a warehouse Manager for the Liquidation Store for numerous years.  He also worked as a Building Official for The City of Douglasville for 5 years before joining Douglas County Federal Savings and Loan where he retired as Assistant Vice President following over 18 years of service. When Richard Hightower decided to open a funeral home in Douglasville and after the purchase of the landmark funeral home property vacated by Whitley-Garner, Mr. Hightower trusted Mr. Carden to oversee the renovations of the property.  The funeral home opened in 1999 and Mr. Carden was very instrumental in getting the building ready to serve families in the Douglasville, Douglas County and surrounding areas. Mr. Carden served our country in the United States Army.  He and his wife, Betty, have 2 children, Rex Carden and Laura Thompson and 4 grandchildren. They are members of the First Baptist Church and both enjoy working in their community and ministering to families.

Charles 'Chuck' Acholes

Funeral Assistant

Chuck is a long-time residents of Douglas County having lived here since the mid-1960's.  He and his wife, Sammie, are members of the First Baptist Church in Douglasville where they are active in the SonRiser's Sunday School Class, Activity Review Committee, First Touch Ministry and Care Group Leadership.  Chuck serves as President of the Mason Creek Homeowners Association.  In the 1970's,Chuck worked for Mr. J. Cowan Whitley at Whitley Funeral Home that operated out of the same building as Hightower's Memorial Chapel does today.  Chuck has been in management for the majority of his working life having retired in 2002.  He and Sammie came to work with Hightower's Memorial Chapel that same year.  Chuck enjoys singing and performing as 'Elvis Presley' in his impersonation shows. 

W. T. Eison

Louis Campbell

Funeral and Visitation Assistant

Louis and his wife, Sara have lived in the Douglas County area for numerous years.  They have been married for 52 years and currently reside in Douglasville.  Their funeral service careers began over 7 years ago.  They are members of the Beulah Baptist Church in Douglasville and are active in the Grace Sunday School Class.  They also participate in various Senior Citizens activities and groups. Louis and his wife, Sara, enjoys coordinating the monthly birthday party sponsored by Hightower's Memorial Chapel at the Grace Assisted Living and the Woodie Fite Senior Center.

Louis retired from Universal Blue Print in 1996 following a very successful career with the company.  Louis served inthe Korean War with the United States Marine Corps.  To this day he remains in contact this his Marine buddies and they get together on a regular basis and catch up on each other's lives.  He enjoys all sports and is an avid Georgia Tech fan. He also enjoys old movies and restoring antique cars.  His quiet demeanor extends his warm and compassionate love towards everybody he meets.

Bob Carpenter

Bob and his wife, CeCe have lived in Douglasville for approximately 10 years and are members of the Douglasville First Baptist Church.  They have 5 grown children and 4 grandchildren.  Bob enjoys working in the yard and gardening.  Bob is our Advance Planning Specialist and Aftercare Counselor. Bob is a charter member and Vice President of the Douglas County Lions Club

As our Aftercare Counselor, Bob will meet with our families and assist them with many of the questions, concerns and issues which may arise following the death of a loved one. Bob also delivers death certificates, when available, additional 'thank-you' notes, a Family Care Packet with valuable information, among others. 

 As our Advance Planning Specialist, Bob's 19 years' experience allows him to assist you in making your personal wishes and desires known to those you will leave behind.  By preplanning, you are able to relieve many of the burdens your family will be faced with when your own death occurs. 

For those of you who wish to fund your arrangements in advance, Bob is able to show you how you can save money by securing today's prices for tomorrow's services with our installment plans.

If you wish to contact Bob, please call us at 770-489-2818 for an appointment.

Debbie Gaston Daniell

Debbie is a native of the Fair Play Community.  Debbie works for the Douglas County School System at South Douglas Elementary School as a Para-professional in the Kindergarten Department along with teacher Mrs. Christy Pierce.  She has been with the school system since 1992.  Debbie has 3 daughters and 1 son-in-law.  She plays piano for Friendship Baptist Church in Fairplay.  She enjoys her service to the community at the school, her church and at Hightower's Memorial Chapel. 

Sammie Acholes

Visitation Assistant

Sammie is a long-time resident of Douglas County having lived here since the mid-1960's.  She, along with her husband, Chuck, are members of the First Baptist Church in Douglasville where they are active in the SonRiser's Sunday School Class, Activity Review Committee, First Touch Ministry and Care Group Leadership.  Sammie serves as secretary of the Mason Creek Homeowners Association. Sammie retired from the Douglas County School System in 1999 following 29 years of service.  She was a former school secretary, leave records clerk and Records Manager for the school system.  She enjoys sewing, reading and working in her yards.
Sammie enjoys coordinating the monthly birthday party sponsored by Hightower's Memorial Chapel at the Douglas Senior Services along with Frankie Smith.
The Acholes have 5 children between the two of them along with 12 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

Sara Campbell

Visitation Assistant

Sara and her husband, Louis, have lived in the Douglas County area for numerous years.  They have been married for 52 years and currently reside in Douglasville.  Their funeral service careers began over 7 years ago.  They are members of the Beulah Baptist Church in Douglasville and are active in the Grace Sunday School Class.  They also participate in various Senior Citizens activities and groups. Sara and Louis enjoy coordinating the monthly birthday parties sponsored by Hightower's Memorial Chapel at the Grace Assisted Living and the Woodie Fite Senior Center.

Sara strongly believes that her work in the funeral home is a ministry to others. She feels the Lord opened this door of opportunity for her and her husband in their retirement years.  She enjoys reading, listening to gospel music and interacting with people.  Her people skills are a definite compliment to the business of serving others.  She also enjoys encouraging and supporting the activities of their 2 daughters and their 4 grandchildren who are now in college.

Betty Carden

Visitation Assistant

Betty Carden is a native of Haralson County and has been a resident of Douglas County for numerous years.  Betty retired from Austell Gas following over 15 years of service.  Betty, along with her husband, James, have been with the Hightower's Memorial Chapel since it opened its doors.  She enjoys gardening and shopping. The Cardens have 2 children, Rex Carden and Laura Thompson and 4 grandchildren. They are members of the First Baptist Church and both enjoy working in their community and ministering to families.

Frankie Smith

Visitation Assistant

Frankie and her husband, Bob, have been married 42 years.  They have 3 children and have been blessed with 6 grandchildren.  Frankie worked for the United Parcel Service as a Customer Service Representive. Having lost an infant grandson and both parents, Frankie can empathize with families in similar situations.  She feels that understanding grief and ministering to families are essential aspects to her work here at Hightower's Memorial Chapel. Frankie, along with Sammie Acholes, enjoys coordinating the monthly birthday party sponsored by Hightower's Memorial Chapel at the Douglas Senior Services.

Jo Ann McCarty Burt

Visitation Assistant

Jo Ann was born in Carrollton.  She was married to the late Willard Burt for 35 years.  Jo Ann is a charter member of the Circle of Friends, III, the widowed ladies group sponsored by Hightower's Memorial Chapel. Jo Ann is a member of the Mourning Glories widows group in chich she, her sister, and two other ladies, organized in 1996.  She is an active member of the Hunter Park Seniors, the Woodie Fite Travel Club, the Keen Agers, the Mourning Glories, and the Abounding Grace Baptist Church.  She has served as a Sunday School Teacher for many years.  She enjoys working with families and doing things for others, singing, writing and traveling.  She is currently in the process of writing her autobiography.  She considers her work here at the funeral home a rewarding and enjoyable ministry.  Jo Ann, along with Florence Pinkerton, enjoys coordinating the monthly birthday parties sponsored by Hightower's Memorial Chapel at the Sweetwater Assisted Living and Hunter Park.

Florence Pinkerton

Visitation Assistant

Florence is a native of Alabama.  She moved to Georgia 32 years ago with her husband, Charles, of 44 years.  They have two daughters, Angela who is married to Dennis Boswell of Newnan, Georgia and Sherry who is married to Ricky Bailey of Guntersville, Alabama.  Florence has three grandchildren, Daniel, Kristen and Elizabeth.  Florence retired from Douglas County after 25 years of service.  Florence is an active member of Liberty Baptist Church.  She loves working with people and counts it as a blessing to be working at Hightower's.  In her spare time, she attends the Keen Agers Group at First Baptist Church and enjoys spending time with her grandchildren.  Florence, along with Jo Ann Burt, enjoys coordinating the monthly birthday parties sponsored by Hightower's Memorial Chapel at the Sweetwater Assisted Living and Hunter Park.

Reverend Woodrow Hudson

Chaplain

Chaplain

Woodrow is a native of Mobile, Alabama and has lived in the Carrollton area for 17 years with his wife Betty (Coleman). The Hudson's have 3 children and 1 granddaughter.  Woodrow graduated from Vigor High School in Alabama in 1957 and Wm. Carey in 1962. He earned his Masters of Divinity from Emory University Candler School of Theology and his Doctorate from Southern Seminary.  He and Betty are members of the Whitesburg Baptist Church.  Woodrow is a member of the Carroll County Sertoma Club. He is International Vice President and serves on the Board for HeartBound Prison Ministries.  He enjoys reading, running and playing golf. Woodrow ran the Peachtree Road Race for 25 straight years.  He served as Pastor for 4 different Baptist Churches for 32 years including the First Baptist Church in Douglasville.  He was Director of Chaplaincy Services for the Georgia Department of Corrections for 12 years.  He has visited the Phillipines, India and South Korea on Mission Trips. Woodrow serves as the Chaplain for Hightower's Memorial Chapel, Hightower Funeral Home and Martin-Hightower Funeral Homes. 

Reverend Tim Phillips; Buddy Dale