Edith Elizabeth Heathman

Edith Elizabeth Heathman, age 99, of Nevada, passed away Friday, Oct. 31, 2008 at her home.

Edith was born May 26, 1909, in Granis, Ark., the fifth child of Joseph Wesley and Millie Bell. Edith moved with her family to Richards, Mo., by wagon. Edith remembered the first automobile in Richards, owned by the town doctor. Edith remarked that she was born before women were allowed to vote.

Her family moved to Fort Scott, while she was in high school. She graduated in 1928. Edith was married to Francis Oliver Heathman on June 2, 1929, in Fort Scott. She moved to Missouri after her marriage, living in rural areas of Richards, Deerfield, Ava and Metz, finally settling in Nevada.

Edith was a homemaker while rearing her seven children. When her husband became ill, she went to work for Nelly Don. When it closed, she worked at the State Hospital until her early retirement to care for her husband.

Edith accepted Christ as her savior as a young woman and lived for her Lord nearly 80 years.

Edith is preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, a brother, and her husband of 45 years, two son-in-laws and two grandchildren. She is survived by her seven children Robert "Bob" and his wife Shirley, Norma Bivin, Pauline Page, Evelyn and her husband "Chuck", Jerry and his wife Judy, Tom and his wife Shirley and Loren and his wife Peggy. Also surviving are one sister-in-law Laura Fern and her husband the Rev. Winfield Poe and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren -- all of whom she adored. Edith is also survived by her church family, as well as many friends and neighbors.

Funeral services will be held at Evergreen Memorial Chapel on Monday, Nov. 3, at 10:30 a.m., with pastor Bill Smith and pastor Rex Scoles officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials given to the Deerfield Church of God Holiness in care of Evergreen Memorial Chapel.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.evergreenmemorialchapel.com.