Marna K. Hightower August 12, 1927 - October 12, 2018

October 16, 2018

Marna K. Hightower, age 91, of Shelbina, Missouri, passed away on Friday, October 12, 2018 at the Shelbina Villa in Shelbina, Missouri.

Marna was born August 12, 1927, in Shelbina, Missouri, the daughter of Elmer C. and Agnes K. (Smith) Heald. She first married Robert E. Quigley. On June 22, 1963, she was united in marriage to Bill Hightower in Shelbina, Missouri. He preceded her in death on November 25, 2008.

She is survived by her one son, Robert Quigley; one daughter, Teddy Perry and husband Bill of Shelbyville, Missouri; one step-son, Brent D Hightower and wife Lynice of Skyforest, California; five grandchildren, Arianna Bain, Jeffery Hightower, Kimberly Gaines, Erica Trenhaile, and Robyn Pommier; and seven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Myra Kathryn Wharton of Alvin, Texas; and one brother-in-law, Dr. Wm. Wharton of Alvin, Texas.

Marna was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church of Shelbina. After graduating from Shelbina High School in 1945, she attended Central Methodist College in Fayette, Missouri. For 42 years, she worked as a social worker for Shelby County and Orange County, California in the Department of Family Services. Marna enjoyed watching St. Louis Cardinal baseball, antiques, gardening, training and showing bird dogs, and had an appreciation for the outdoors. She was known as an avid bird hunter and enjoyed attending outdoor shooting competitions. After retirement, Marna and her husband, Bill, traveled extensively to national parks and historic sites all across the country.

Funeral services will be held Monday, October 15, 2018 at 11 am at the Greening-Eagan-Hayes Funeral Home in Shelbina, Missouri, followed by the burial in the Shelbina Cemetery. Visitation will precede the funeral service starting at 10 am. Memorials may be made Shelbina Carnegie Library or the Shelby County Historic Society.