Mary Hightower

Mary Lou Hightower (McCroskey) was born March 31, 1937 to Glen and Mary McCroskey at the family home on Anderson Street in Bristol, TN. Both of her parents have proceeded her in death.
She attended Bristol Tennessee High School and earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee (Knoxville). She continued her education throughout her life at Georgia State College and Eastern New Mexico University (Portales).

She and her husband, Lewis, moved to Roswell in 1992 from Arlington, TX to build the AMPI cheese plant (now owned by Leprino Foods). From 1992 until 2006 she was part of the federal TRIO programs at ENMU-Roswell, retiring in 2006 as Director of Student Support Services.

During her life in Roswell, Mary Lou participated in a number of volunteer organizations and served as an officer in many, including the Roswell Girls Club, the Chaves County Literacy Coalition, La Entrada, and the Roswell Museum and Art Center Foundation. She also was one of the founding members of the Roswell Jazz and Arts Board of Directors. She was a member of the Shakespeare Club, the Roswell Junior Book Club, and the ENMU-R Lawn Chair Drill Team.

She was a member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church and held her fellow parishioners in great love and affection.

Mary Lou died peacefully on March 16, 2016 in the family home in her own bed and surrounded by her family.

Mary Lou is survived by her husband, Lewis, whom she often referred to as her "soul mate, sweetheart, and shoulder". Theirs was a wonderful relationship for 34 years, and he was a steadfast support to her during her eight year long struggle against cancer.

She is also survived by her son, Bruce May, and his wife, April, of Roswell; her son, Henry, of Albuquerque; her two grandsons, Reed and Colton, Reed's wife Stephanie and daughter Isabel. Also, step-granddaughter Pierra Hayes; granddaughter Mariah May and grandson Curtis May, all of Martin, TN.

Surviving family members include her brother, Bob McCroskey, his wife Margie, and their two children, Kevin and Heather; and her sister, Sally McCroskey Church of Piney Flats, TN.
Mary Lou also had an extended family of friends throughout the United States, Canada, and New Zealand who she called her "Angel Team".

Mary Lou was deeply appreciative of the constant support and encouragement of her family and friends: Lynda Campbell, Kay Liakos; Lydia Citron, Wendy Raes; Sue and Duane Evans, Sandi Van Winkle; Marlene Schenke, Joanne Rose; Sally Pretti and many others from St. Andrew's; Paula Grieves and the members of the Jazz Group; Ibby Weber, Marna Hunt, Carolyn Sidd and others in the Shakespeare Club; Myrl Good, Laverne Smith, and others in the Roswell Junior Book Club; Eloise Blake, Judy Armstrong, and others in the ENMU-R Retirees Lunch Bunch; Mary Kay Vance, Lynn Parrish, Jack Morton and all of her Bristol Tennessee High School graduating class; Bonnie Stephens and the women of the Covenant Church in the Midwest; and prayer groups at Central Presbyterian Church, Bristol, TN.

A memorial service for Mary Lou will be held at 1:30 PM, Friday, April 1, 2016 at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 504 North Pennsylvania Ave., Roswell, NM with reception to follow in the Parish Hall. We welcome you to this celebration of Mary Lou's life.

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