Derek Russell Hightower

Stedman

Derek Russell Hightower, 38 passed away on Monday, August 18, 2025 at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center.

Funeral service will be held at 3:00 PM Friday, August 22, 2025 at Beaver Dam Baptist Church, officiating will be Pastor Josh Hughes and Pastor Tim McQueen. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 PM to 2:50 PM Friday at the church prior to the service.

Derek is preceded in death by his mother, Sandra Fisher Hightower; maternal grandparents, Arney Dunaway Fisher and Eura Mae Melvin Fisher; paternal grandparents, J T Hightower, Jr. and Helen Hightower; uncles, Leslie Wayne Fisher, Jerry Robert Fisher, Charlie Spell, Roy Smith and Bobby Norris; and aunt, Diane Fisher.

Derek was talented with his hands and loved home improvement projects; including flooring and tile. His favorite hobbies included fishing and arm wrestling.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his father, Russell P. Hightower of Sun City, Florida; aunts, Linda Spell of Stedman, Joann Smith of Roseboro, Faye Norris of Fayetteville and Barbara Fisher of Fuqua Varina; uncles, Franklin Plato Fisher and wife, Diana of Eastover, Leckie D. Fisher and wife, Wanda of Greenville, SC, and T.L. Hightower and wife, Lonna of Lafayette, GA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Beaver Dam Baptist Church, 4693 Beaver Dam Church Road, Roseboro, NC  28328.

Services entrusted to Butler Funeral Home, 6535 Clinton Road, Stedman, NC 28391.