Mollie Elizabeth Wagnon

It is said that life is short, and for some it is; but for Mollie Elizabeth Wagnon of Austin, Texas, it was not. She was born on January 11, 1926, in Ft. Worth, Texas, to Riley and Grace Conner. She lived to the grand age of 94 years and died only just this past Tuesday, November 24, 2020.

In 1949, she met and married longtime native Beaumont resident L.B. Hightower III. He was an active member of the legal community, who subsequently served as Chief Justice of the Ninth Court of Civil Appeals, as did his father and grandfather before him.

Mollie loved her family and delighted in being a devoted wife, homemaker, and mother to their daughter, Judy, whom she absolutely adored. Blessed with a true gift of hospitality, she also enjoyed hosting birthday and holiday celebrations and supporting her husband in his political endeavors. She was full of vitality, with a joyful spirit and a genuine interest in people. She was a wonderful cook and her Italian meatballs and spaghetti were superb and often requested.      

Upon his retirement, L.B. and Mollie moved to Port Bolivar where they spent the remainder of their 40 happy years of marriage together, prior to his death in 1989. They loved the beach, spent a lot of time in and on the water, and opened their home for family and friends to come and enjoy it with them.

Following his passing, Mollie moved to Austin to be close to her daughter and her family. MeeMaw, (as her grandchildren called her) was right in her element. She focused on catching up with her daughter; doing what grandmothers love to do; taking care of and playing with her grandkids; hosting even more birthday and holiday celebrations; and playing bingo as often as she could.

Mollie loved the Lord and was a member of Hyde Park Baptist Church. There she met and married M.K. Wagnon, LTC (USAF, Ret) with whom she went on to spend 20 precious years of marriage prior to his death. He adored her and treated her like a queen. Together, they loved hosting UT football game watch-parties, eating out, traveling, and hanging out with family and friends.

Mollie was a beautiful lady and, even as she aged, she took care of herself and could still light up a room with her big warm smile and easy laugh. In her later years, she resided in the Pavilion at Great Hills in Austin Retirement Community, where she was quite active, loved and cared for, and had many friends. The family wishes to say a special “Thank You” to the Pavilion staff and caregivers.

Mollie is survived by her daughter, Judy Trull of Austin; grandson, Christopher Trull of Austin; granddaughter, Mollie West and her husband, Jason, of Austin; great-grandson, Jackson West, age 8; great-granddaughter, Audrey West, age 6; great-granddaughter, Norah West, age 3; niece, Bonnie Whitman, whom she loved as a daughter, and her husband Randy of Beaumont; and numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and extended family.

A graveside service for Mrs. Wagnon will be at 1:00 p.m., Monday, November 30, 2020, at Magnolia Cemetery, 2291 Pine Street, Beaumont under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.

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