Ernestine Claire Rollins-Hightower, born on September 8, 1936, in Lawton, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully at Comanche County Memorial Hospital on the evening of Saturday, March 8, 2025, at the age of 88. She was surrounded by love and comfort in her final moments with her daughter Karin by her side.

Ernestine was the beloved mother to four children: Steven Hightower; Neal Hightower (spouse Dianne Hightower), Clint Hightower, Karin Hightower. Ernestine was always immensely proud of her children and their accomplishments, often sharing stories of their achievements with friends and family. Her pride extended to her six grandchildren: Jeni Canaday, Laura Brezenski, Elissa Mahaffey, Eric Hightower, Eli Godfrey, Sydney Wang, Ashley Hightower, as well as many great grandchildren: Rookie, Princely, Collins, Cody, Jesse, Mercedez, Braydon, Kennedy, Lexie, Payton, Eliijah, Manu.

Ernestine's school journey began in Lawton, with a move to Oklahoma City for her early education, then the family moved back to Lawton where she attended the original Lawton High School downtown. She married Ted Hightower in 1955, and they had four children, all born in Lawton. After a move to Clinton and the loss of her husband she again moved back to Lawton to raise the children. While the kids were still in school, she made the bold move for a woman in the 60's to enroll in Cameron College where she graduated with an Education major in 1970 and set the stage for her teaching career. She was hired by Lawton Public Schools to teach elementary level where she gained her experience at several schools before landing her primary position teaching science at her beloved Whittier Elementary. Ernestine retired from Whittier after 29 years of teaching. Her dedication to education was unwavering and she was known for her ability to inspire and nurture her students.

Ernestine's commitment to service extended to volunteer work in the community where she was involved for many years with Beta Sigma Phi as chapter president and yearly in the Lawton Beauty Pageant program. She ran the Olympic torch on a leg through Lawton. During her summers she took students on several organized field trips, one to the NASA Space Center in Houston, and one of her favorites to dig fossils in the Spiro Mound. She was a volunteer docent with the Lawton Historical Association serving the Mattie Beal house. The Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge was a beloved place for Ernestine with trips up Mt. Scott and walks in the woods instilling a lifelong love of the outdoors in her children. Ernestine will be remembered for her kindness, the love for her family and for her hometown, Lawton.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate staff at Comanche County Memorial Hospital, Brentwood Senior Living, and McMahon Tomlinson Skilled Nursing for their exceptional care and support, as well as Sarah Nicole, her caregiver.

In lieu of a funeral the family will plan a Celebration of Life service later in the spring to spread her ashes in accordance with Ernestine's wishes.