Nann P. Hightower

Nann Bethel Perry Hightower was born on August 13, 1929 to Robert and Annie Mae (Robertson) Perry in Providence, Rhode Island.

Nann moved from Providence to New York City in her early 20s, where she found love, success, and a plethora of accomplishments. She briefly attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan and studied fashion merchandising. This is also where she met the love of her life , Zeter Hightower, a MTA bus-driver and former United States Postal Service clerk. They were married for fifty years until his death in 2004.

Nann accomplished a lot in her life. She found success in buying and flipping homes. She was a manager of London Records in New York City. She owned an antique shop called Nann’s Curiosity Shoppe in Jamaica, Queens. She was also a real-estate agent, bookkeeper, notary, and antique dealer. In addition, Nann worked for the Department of Education for over 15 years. One might say she was a Jill Of All Trades. She even went back to school to obtain a  Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from CUNY York College in 1988, proving that there was nothing that she could not do. Once her mind was made up, she went after it. 

Nann loved traveling with her husband. They once went on a drive to 48 states in their motorhome. Nann liked reading the Sunday paper and doing the crossword puzzles, especially the Soduku puzzles. She also enjoyed playing games with her sisters, Shirley and Dorothy, such as bingo and scrabble. She loved going to the casino with them, too. She enjoyed celebrating her birthday by going out to dinner.  

During her time in New York, Nann was a faithful member of the New Covenant Baptist Church in Hollis, Queens. She would volunteer for their fashion shows, food drives, clothing drives, etc. After moving back to Rhode Island in her later years, she joined the Ebenezer Baptist Church.

Nann made her transition from this life to the next on March 11, 2021, in her hometown of Providence.  She leaves behind her son Melvin Robert Boyd; her granddaughter, Maria Carmona; a great grandson, Kenneth Suggs Jr.; four nieces: Cheryl Shavers and Lisa Swopshire of  California, Leslie Elemo of East Providence, and Caryn Smith of East Providence; three nephews: Richard Perry and Bruce Perry of Providence and Everett Smith Jr., of Rumford; and a host of other relatives and friends. 
We find comfort knowing that she has been reunited with her husband, parents, and siblings -- Ivory Perry, Ruth Isom, Ruby Pullum, Robert Perry Jr., Norma Perry, Shirley Smith, and Dorothy Brice -- in heaven.  

She will be greatly missed.

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