Denese Hightower Langston

Denese Hightower Langston went to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, March 30, 2026. Denese was born January 24,1953, in Lakeland, FL. She was a graduate of Lakeland High School (1970) and Florida Southern College (1974) and obtained a Master’s in Sports Psychology from Florida State University (1975).

Denese was the most outgoing person and loved to tell stories and make people laugh out loud. Another gift was her ability to plan, decorate, and put on extravagant parties. Other things she enjoyed: reading God’s word; listening to Christian music, tapes and podcasts; growing roses and sharing roses with others; arts & crafts; spending time in the mountains in Clayton, GA.; watching and attending sporting events and being with family and friends.

Denese is survived by her husband, Scott; daughter, Hillary Stewart (David) and son, Martin Langston (Martha); mother, Markelle Hightower; brothers, Dan Hightower (Shelly) and Dale Hightower (Anna); 6 grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded by death of her father, Robert Hightower (2000), and son, Bradley Langston (2009).

A visitation will be held on Thursday, April 2, 2026, from 5:30-7:30 pm and a Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, April 3, 2026, at 11am; both at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 301 N. Florida Ave., Lakeland.

A YouTube live-stream link for the Celebration of Life service can be found here:  https://www.youtube.com/live/Cn5sG-EYALA 

Memorials may be made to Love a Child, Inc. PO Box 60063 Ft. Myers, FL 33906 and Trinity Presbyterian Church.

A special thank you to all the wonderful doctors, nurses and other medical staff who provided such loving and good care over the years for Denese.