Beatrice "Irene" Heath, 97, of Pensacola, FL, passed peacefully from this world, in her sleep, on the morning of 24 June 2014. She was preceded in death by, and is now reunited with--the love of her life--her husband of 76 years, Arvel "Mickey" Heath, parents Walter Scott and Lula Mae McLean, her sister, Georgia Lucile Severy, her brother, George Walter McLean, her son, Donald Heath, and others dear to her heart. Irene's conviction never faltered as she gave a life of love and caring to her family, the Red Cross, to her church family, and to her community.
Irene, faithful, devoted Navy wife and loving mother, exemplifying the role of homemaker--chief cook and bottle washer, seamstress, beautician/barber, healer of all things hurtful--until the children were grown, was involved with the PTA throughout school years, proudly served the American Red Cross at the Navy Hospital Pensacola, from 1960 through 2003, and worked part-time in several notions departments to support her sewing hobby. She loved people, and was a stranger to none.
Irene's various interests included horseback riding, dancing, crabbing (our little mommy was a real saint at cleaning blue crabs--and made the best crab cakes ever!), and fishing--especially floundering in November (where she was known, on several occasions, to fall out of the boat with all her gear on). She also enjoyed sewing and her African violets.
Irene leaves to cherish her memory, her daughters Sylvia O'Camb, Loretta (Charlie) Rhodes, and Christy Heath, eleven grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and her nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. Her absence will leave an empty place in our lives, but her unconditional love will fill our hearts forever.
Visitation will be at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 10:00 am with the funeral service immediately following at 11:00 am on Monday, 30 June 2014. Interment will follow the service at Barrancas National Cemetery, NAS Pensacola at 12:30 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made in memory of Irene, to the Council on Aging, Northwest FL (Adult Day Health Care Center), Emerald Coast Hospice (Pensacola and Panama City), Covenant Hospice IPU Wing at Bay Medical (Panama City), or Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.
We would like to extend a very special thank you to all the caregivers--especially our "adopted" sister and Godsend, Christina ("Tina") Varazo-Gill--but also want to thank Marianthe Brown, Tushima "Nikki" Williams, the Council on Aging, Northwest FL (Adult Day Health Care Center), Emerald Coast Hospice (Pensacola and Panama City), and Covenant Hospice IPU Wing at Bay Medical (Panama City) for loving care and support, to the staff at Eastern Gate Memorial Gardens for facilitating funeral arrangements, and to Pleasant Grove Baptist Church for never-ending love. Thank you, friend, for celebrating Irene's life with us.
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