Allen Thomas Hightower Jr

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF

ALLEN THOMAS HIGHTOWER, JR.
FIRST QUARTER

Allen Thomas Hightower, Jr., affectionately known as Tony by his immediate family, was the first 
born to the late Allen Thomas Hightower, Sr. and the late Mary Ethel Chunn-Hightower, at the 
Erlanger Hospital, in Chattanooga, Tennessee on Friday, December 8, 1950. He confessed his love for 
Christ at an early age, and later became a member of the St. Paul A.M.E. Church in Chattanooga. He 
was educated in the Chattanooga Public School System until 1967, at which time the family departed 
to Detroit, Michigan.
Because he always had deep love for basketball, he and his sister, Cheryl Hightower-Wiggins, who 
preceded in death, and his best childhood friend, Evander Lloyd, enjoyed many hours honing the 
skills that would also peek his interest in the sport. He taught them the basics of the game, but 
they particularly enjoyed dribbling.
SECOND QUARTER
When Allen arrived in Detroit, he completed his high school education at Kettering Sr. High School, 
graduating in 1969.  It was there that he met the love of his life, Phyllis Mealing, a popular girl 
who attended all of the sports events to which he was a participant. As a result of his superior 
athletic abilities, it wasn’t long before he acquired the nick name, SNUFF.He and Phyllis became an 
item, and were ultimately united in Holy Matrimony on April 25, 1970, at Phyllis’ home church, 
Greater St. Peter A.M.E. Zion Church, which he Joined before they were married. Phyllis often mused 
that it was his muscular legs and calves that caught her eye.
To this union, one child was born, Latesha MaWand, AKA, Tish, AKA “Sugar Lump” to her loving and 
adoring parents. From 1971-1973 Snuff played semi-pro basketball. He also earned several trophies 
as he was also an avid bowler.
Working and retiring from American Axle for 30 years was only one facet of his life that made him 
an excellent provider for his family. He also exuded love, compassion and the emotional support 
required to hold a family structure together.  He was also a lover of many types of music, 
including jazz, R&B and soul. EVERYBODY knew that James Brown was his favorite performer.
THIRD QUARTER
His exemplary legacy continued with the birth of his beautiful grandchildren: his first, Antoine 
Dante Davis, who he loved holding and introducing him to his passion for shooting hoops. He 
traveled all the way to Hawaii to see him. Next, came the twins, Jordan Lawrence Tyler and Jeremiah 
Keithlen Tyler. For them, he babysat, potty trained and continued to introduce them to basketball 
and football. Under his tutorage, they became prolific football players. He never missed any of 
their games, beginning with T-ball through middle and high school. He even traveled to New Mexico 
to watch them play.

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FOURTH QUARTER
When Phyllis began to pastor Leggett Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church he happily became a Steward. He 
always supported her and all of her choices, career and otherwise. There’s no question, he was the 
perfect mate who had no problem spoiling her. They never missed a concert or a party or any type of 
social gathering because he believed he should date his wife. You could say he provided that good 
old southern comfort.He lived his life to the fullest. Though he was relegated to a walker for many 
years, he continued dancing, because he was just that cool. The Hightower family transferred their 
membership to Lomax Temple A.M.E. Zion Church. Under Rev. Dr. Brian Relford.  Most recently, their 
current pastor, Rev. Orea Peterson, Jr. visited Allen, (Snuff), in the hospital where they 
discussed “fashion and the good old days” Snuff enjoyed this conversation very much and couldn’t 
stop talking about it.
OVERTIME
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall 
not perish, but have ETERNAL LIFE.” NIV John 3:16. God promises ETERNAL LIFE to those who do what 
pleases him, saying “I give them ETERNAL LIFE,  they will never perish…” John 10:28 KJV Rest 
eternally in paradise with the Creator, God the Father, Jesus, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

Allen will be immensely missed by his loved ones who will continue to celebrate his life. Those who 
will forever share precious memories, and rejoice with the knowledge that he is in the arms of his 
Creator are: his loving wife, Phyllis Mealing-Hightower, his daughter, Latesha MaWand 
Hightower-Allen (LaRohn), three grandchildren, Antoine Dante Davis, Jordan Lawrence Tyler and 
Jeremiah Keithlen Tyler, one great grandchild, Jazaria Tyler, one brother-in-law, Ernest Wiggins 
one niece, Donquita S. Drumgo, (Mack), two nephews, Timothy Hightower and Erving Reeves, and three 
great nieces, KaMyra, McKenzie and MaKayla Drumgo. And a host of relatives and friends

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