Derric Lee Hightower Jr.

Derric Lee Hightower Jr. (Ferdie) of Danville, IL., passed this life on July 29, 2022 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, IL. Derric was born to Evelyn Walls and Derric Hightower Sr on July 31, 1980.

Derric attended Danville Schools and graduated from Danville High School in 1998. He enlisted in the U.S. Army after graduation. Upon returning to Danville in 2001, Derric enrolled at Danville Area Community College where he earned an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education. He began working at Elite Learning Center in St. Joseph, IL in 2006,  where he became the Executive Director in 2017. Derric loved working with children and they loved Mr. Derric. The children and staff of Elite Learning Center will miss Mr. Derric immensely.

Derric enjoyed life and befriended all.  He loved Boxing and WWE wrestling. You could find him watching wrestling on Monday and hosting Fight Nights on Saturday. He has a true family spirit and his family meant everything to him. He enjoyed hanging out, playing cards, dominoes, or just reminiscing with his many cousins, too many to name individually. 

Derric leaves to cherish his memories, his mother, Evelyn Walls, his father, Derric Hightower Sr., siblings, Deirdre Walls, Delisha (Lino) Gatlin, Demetric Hightower, Derrius (Diana-Marie) Hightower, DeAnna Hightower, Dennis Hightower, Derrice Hightower, Christopher Hightower, Brandon Hightower, and Natalie Rodriguez. Nieces; J’Nayzah, John’Niah, Jenessa, Ja’Briah, Audrey, Jalayiah, and Liviana. Nephews; Brandon, Christian, Holden, Julius, and Jeramiah. Bonus Mom; Crystal Brandon. Aunts; Laura (Terry) Davis, Pamela Walls, Trina (Ronald) Walker, Rhonda (Robert) Owens, LaDonne Bowles, Yvonne Summers. Uncles; John (Montrice) Walls, Elvin Walls, Thomas (Kim) Hightower. A host of great Aunts and uncles, and his Childhood Friends; Anthony Edmunds, Arnell Wilson, Shannon Galey, Alcia Edmunds, Rashad Savage, Mike Moss and the Dale’s Crew. 

Derric was preceded in death by grandparents, Elvin (Hoss) and Frankie Walls, Thomas L. Hightower, and Marva Modest, nephew Jay’Sean Parks, uncles, Terrance Bankhead and Darrin Hightower Sr, and host of cherished family and friends. 

A Celebration of Life will commence at 12:00 Noon Friday August 5, 2022 at New Life Church of Faith 1419 N. Bowman Ave, Danville. Eulogist: Pastor Hawkins. Visitation will begin at 11:00 am until the time if the service. Burial will follow after at Spring Hill Cemetery.

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