Catherine Josephine "Jo" Hightower

Catherine Josephine “Jo” Hightower was born on September 20, 1924, in Rayville, Louisiana, to Francis and John Mendolia. She passed away peacefully at the age of 100 on December 29, 2024.

Funeral services celebrating her life will be held at 1:00 P.M. Monday, January 6, 2025, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Rayville, LA, with Fr. Peter Mallya officiating. Interment will follow at Rayville Masonic Cemetery.

Jo graduated from Rayville High School in 1942 and subsequently attended business school. During World War II, she worked at Selman Field for three years, followed by positions at the Federal Land Bank and the Richland Parish Tax Assessor’s Office, from which she retired in 1990. She was married to T.B. Hightower and is the mother of one daughter, Sharon.

Jo had a passion for dancing, enjoyed listening to Big Band music, and liked playing Bridge and Rook. Above all, she treasured time spent with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Family connections were paramount to her, and she cherished every phone call, visit, and excursion with them. Jo held a deep affection for Sacred Heart Catholic Church and her church community, serving in various capacities within the Ladies Altar Society, including Secretary, Treasurer, and President. Additionally, she contributed her time as a member of the building committee for the current church, played the organ during Mass, maintained the church's financial records, sang in the choir, and served as a Eucharistic Minister. In recognition of her service, she was honored with the Diocesan Medal of Honor from Bishop Friend in 2000.

Jo is preceded in death by her parents, Francis and John Mendolia. She is survived by her daughter, Sharon Claxton and her husband, David; two grandchildren, Bryant Mendolia and his wife, Tracie, and William Mendolia and his wife, Chaylon; and her beloved four great-grandchildren: Tinley, Brylee Josephine, William, and Weston.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated staff from Passages Hospice and Ouachita Healthcare who provided exceptional care for Jo over the past four years.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Rayville, Louisiana, or to St. Jude Children's Cancer Research Center.