Beginning with Pa Larkin and Momma Susie as the patriarch and matriarch of the family, we share a rich history of love, togetherness, laughter and triumph. We are a family built on love for one another, an unwavering faith in Christ, and a persevering spirit of unity and endurance. Pa Larkin Hightower and Momma Susie Spratling met in Harris County Georgia where they were born and raised. These two children from Harris County Ga. were married on October 17th 1909. This was the beginning the Hightower legacy. They gave birth to 12 beautiful children that were raised to love the Lord. This was evident as the children fondly gave testimony of how they were raised.
They recalled growing up in a Christian home where church and Sunday school was the norm. Both Pa Larkin and Ma Susie were described as wonderfully loving, dedicated and hard working parents that were excellent examples to their family. While both were comical, Pa Larkin was described as stern but not mean, while Ma Susie was described as the mediator. Pa Larkin and Ma Susie formed the perfect alliance. Pa Larkin was a share cropper, which empowered him to be a provider for his family. Ma Susie was the consummate mother and home maker, who taught her children to read before they started school and made all of their clothes. Pa Larkin preached love and togetherness to his family, a message that reigned true and was embodied by his last living children,
Reverend James Hightower and Thelma Hightower Culpepper till their last days.
While tasked with living through and raising a family amidst abject racism and segregation the family was able to thrive. The children
stated that they never went without. During their younger years education was not easy to come by. While White Children had schools that went up to 12th grade, and were bussed to school Black children were not afforded the same luxury. Their schools went up to 7th grade, and they did not have busses and had to walk to school. For Black
children to attend high school the only option was to ride a Greyhound
bus to the neighboring city of La Grange Georgia.
While there have been many family reunions that have preceded this one, this will be the first where we have sought to create a centralized Hightower Harmony website. Our goal? To simply capture and bring to life as many loving memories in one place in a way that accentuates the Hightower Harmony with storytelling and pictures.
We hope to see as many of you as possible and please know that we have an amazing weekend planned for you.