- Date Of Birth: January 19, 1932
- Date Of Death: April 13, 2014
- State: Illinois
Edith L. Heard was born Tuesday, January 19, 1932 in Memphis, Tennessee and departed this life Saturday, April 12, 2014 at St. Paul’s Nursing Care Facility in Belleville, Illinois. Edith was the only child born to George and Estella Nelms. Edith was married to L. C. Heard and was blessed with children, grandchildren, and godchildren who loved her dearly.
Her husband, parents, grandparents, and son, George Heard, preceded her in death. Edith was educated in the Memphis City schools, attended Lemoyne-Owen College, Memphis, TN, received a baccalaureate degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and was a certified educator in the state of Tennessee. Edith loved children, so she naturally began her career in early childhood education serving first as a teacher and ultimately, Director of the St. James Day Care Center.
She also was passionate about cooking, so she worked many years in catering and continued to work over the years as an educator in the Memphis City Schools. She retired in 1997 from the Mississippi Boulevard Christian Academy in Memphis, Tennessee. Edith was a lifelong member of St. James A.M.E. Church, Memphis, TN where she attended faithfully until she moved to Illinois in 2003 to live with her daughter, Cheryl. As a dedicated and committed member of St. James, she was actively involved in the Senior Choir, KDR Club, Sunday School, the dining staff, and numerous other Church committees and groups. Edith loved God, her Church, family, and friends and worked tirelessly to provide service to others.
She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, loved Church activities, butterflies, gardening, cooking, reading, singing, dancing, traveling, listening to music, spending time with her family, doing service in the community, and working around the home. She continued to engage in many of these activities late in life and continued to sing until the end of her life. She was a remarkable woman who was well loved by all and had an infectious smile and a sweet spirit. She touched the lives of so many people and cared for many family members, neighbors, church members, friends, and the occasional stranger who passed her way.
She was truly a servant of God put on this earth to provide service to others, so we can truly say, “faithful servant well done.” Edith will be remembered for many things, but her love of God, her warm spirit, and putting others’ needs before her own will be her greatest legacy. Edith was extremely proud of and deeply loved her children and grandchildren, extended family, and friends; therefore, she leaves a host of loved ones to celebrate her life and mourn her passing including, daughter and caregiver, Cheryl Y. Heard, Collinsville, IL; son, Marvel J. Heard, Memphis, TN; daughters, Debbie L. Brown (Ronald), Dickinson, TX and Adrian Y. Heard, Cordova, TN; Grandchildren, Doue’ O. Carter and Jamauri T. Deberry, Cordova, TN; Ambria Y. Branch, Alantra Y. Neal, and Amber L. Smith, St. Louis, MO; and aunts, uncles, cousins, former students, and friends.
