Lightner is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:A. M. Lightner, a pen name of Alice Lightner Hopf (1904–1988), American writer Calvin E. Lightner (1878–1960), American architect, building contractor and mortician Candy Lightner, organizer and founding president of Mothers Against Drunk Drivers Clarence Lightner (1921–2002), first popularly elected mayor of Raleigh, North Carolina, and first African-American elected mayor of a Southern city of over 50,000 residents Gwendolyn Rosetta Capps Lightner (1925–1999), American gospel pianist, arranger, and choir director Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner (1818–1913), Mormon pioneer Matthew Lightner, American chef Milton Lightner (1887–1967), American politician and lawyer Sarah Lightner, American politician Sherri Lightner, American politician Theodore Lightner, American bridge player Winnie Lightner (1899–1971), American film actress