Obituary of Rozel Hightower Arant

Rozel Hightower Arant passed away peacefully on November 15, 2024, in Houston, Texas. She was born November 20, 1936, in Bastrop, Louisiana, where she lived for most of her life. Rozel was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Pearl Osbon Hightower, brothers James H. Hightower, Elbert Hightower, and Thomas Allen Hightower. She was also preceded in death by her loving husband of 62 years, Charles Arant. She is survived by her children Kem Arant Schultz and Tim Arant, granddaughters Colleen Duke and Alison Borrelli, and five great-grandchildren. Also surviving her are her brother Travis Don Hightower and sister Marie Hightower Crain, along with a number of beloved nieces and nephews. Rozel graduated from Bastrop High School, received her B.A. degree in English from Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, Louisiana, and her M.A. degree in English from Northeast Louisiana University in Monroe, Louisiana. For many years she taught in various area high schools and at Northeast Louisiana University. She held memberships in Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority, Sigma Tau Delta honorary English fraternity, Epsilon Sigma Alpha philanthropic sorority, and was a charter member of Literary Forum in Bastrop. Church was always an integral part of her life, walking as a child with her family to New Friendship Baptist Church, adult years spent as an active member of First Baptist and First United Methodist Churches in Bastrop, and in later years attending Klein United Methodist Church in Spring, Texas. Music was a life-long love of hers, from playing clarinet in her high-school band, to ringing handbells in church, to singing with choirs and choruses through the years. A highlight of her life was playing the role of Sister Sophia in Monroe Little Theatre’s production of The Sound of Music in 1986. Golf was another passion which she shared with many friends. In addition to serving as past president of the Morehouse Country Club Ladies’ Golf Association, she also once won the Ladies’ Club Championship. For many years, she and Charles traveled the country in their RV, with Rozel keeping a detailed diary of each trip. She also enjoyed several trips to England, exploring the birthplaces of Thomas Hardy and William Wordsworth, among others. The family would like to thank staff and caregivers at The Tradition-Buffalo Speedway, who have all loved and taken such good care of Mom for the past several years. A celebration of Rozel’s life will be held at a later date to be determined. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org or by mail at P.O. Box 96011, Washington DC 20090-6011. Rozel always loved to write, and we know she would want to leave you with these words: "Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart." ~William Wordsworth.