Mr Linwood Leon Heffington, Sr.

1932 - 2018

Mr Linwood Leon Heffington, Sr. obituary, 1932-2018

BORN

1932

DIED

2018

FUNERAL HOME

Rosewood-Kellum Funeral Home

601 North Witchduck Road

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Linwood Heffington, Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jan. 15, 2018.

Linwood Leon Heffington, Sr., 85, died peacefully at his home on January 12, 2018 after battling Parkinson's Disease since 2011. He was born in Princess Anne County on September 18, 1932.
He was the last of ten children born to James Edward Heffington and Vergie Mae Heffington. He attended Kempsville High School. He worked as an auto mechanic for over forty years at several automotive repair facilities including Ingram's Auto in Norfolk and Beach Ford in Virginia Beach. He was a service technician at Price's Washer & Dryer and was employed at Air-A-Plane Corporation when he met Dot.

Linwood was married to the love of his life, Dot, for 58 years. He was a member of the South Norfolk Moose Lodge and Eagles Lodge where he was a great dancer and loved to Jitterbug. Their favorite song to dance to was "In the Mood". He was a member of Indian Cove Campground near Sandbridge where he enjoyed relaxing by fishing and dancing.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Dorothy "Dot" Heffington; their daughter, Sandra Losavio and her husband, Sal with their children, Daniel and Valerie of Melbourne, FL; daughter, Judy Partin and her husband, Bill, of Clinton, TN, with their son Billy and his wife Amber of Chesapeake, VA; son, the late Linwood Heffington, Jr. and his wife, Michele, with their children Cassie and Blake of Gates County, NC; daughter, Susan George and husband Paul, with children Rachel and Andrew of Virginia Beach, VA; and extended family, nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors.

Many thanks to the Gentiva/Kindred Home Health nurses and caregivers who assisted during Linwood's thirteen months of hospice care. Additional thanks to Sara Crook, as personal caregiver, for assisting in his care for the last eleven months of his life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Linwood's memory may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (www.michaeljfox.org) to help find a cure for Parkinson's Disease.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, January 21, 2018 at 12 noon, with the service following at 1:00pm at Rosewood Kellum Funeral Home. You may offer condolences to the family at www.kellumfuneralhome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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March 22, 2018

Judy Partin

Daddy, there is so much I could say and so many memories that I remember that I could write a book. I enjoyed our times working in the yard and in the vegetable garden and everything you taught me that I still use today. You taught me how to use tools, how to work on cars, how to build things, how to fish, and how to dance. You were the smartest man I knew, able to work on anything with a motor and build something without any type of plans. I loved spending time with you, your sense of humor, and how you were always so eager to help anyone that needed it. Thank you for being the father that was there for the fishing trips, the picnics, the family projects, and the holidays. You and Mom set a great example for us while we were growing up and I appreciate all you did for me. It was hard to watch your decline due to the Parkinson's but you never lost your sense of humor. I Love you Daddy and Miss You but I know that we will see each other again in Heaven.

Posted by Judy Partin

February 11, 2018

Sandra Losavio

My beloved Dad. You were the best Dad a daughter could have. I wish I could have had the strength to say this at your memorial service but my emotions prevented me from doing so. My earliest memories were when I would follow you and your wheelbarrow around the yard as you worked, knowing I'd be given a wheelbarrow ride when it was empty.

You taught me the love of flowers. The colors of Azaleas and Camellias, the beautiful aroma of Roses and Gardenias. You taught me the best way to have fresh flowers is to buy the plant and enjoy it's rewards. Your flowers made many a teachers' morning when we were sent to school with some of your living masterpieces. The rose garden you made Mom reminded me to stop and smell the roses, and for many years I often requested to pick out a rose bush as a gift from Sal, so I'd receive a certificate from him for a rose bush. One of life's lessons I have learned is that a riding lawn mower can kill rose bushes, especially when you look back to see if you accidentally ran over one, and take down a second rose bush just as fast.

You taught me the love of the ocean and the food it can provide. Teaching me to fish from either a shore, pier, or a boat. I learned to bait my own hook and that a rag was always helpful in holding a fish to get it off the hook, and how to clean the fish. I'll always remember being woken up early in the morning by Mom asking if I wanted to go fishing and my answer was always yes', either on your boat or on Uncle Fenton's boat. I also remember your laugh when I asked you and Sal to watch my fishing rod as I left for a bathroom break while we were on the Cocoa Beach Fishing Pier during one of your visits to Florida, only for me to arrive back with each of you holding one of the two fishing rods you both were fishing with, and watch my little fishing rod with the tip just 6 about the top rail jump up once, then sail up and over the rail with you two watching! Bungees became one of the items you added for fishing pier trips to hold down the rods from going over'.

Memories of all your grilling where you were always sampling' to make sure it was good enough to eat. The fun of making the train models and helping you paint them. The Moose Lodge's barbecues, picnics, parties, and the Landstown Farmer's Market where you would love to dance. You always ran into someone you knew where ever we went, and often Mom would send us to 'Find Daddy' and we found you talking to another person. You were always willing to help someone out and had an eye for anything of value laying aside the road. There was many a time we went thru the woods looking for squirrels, or mistletoe. There were so many times we watched you put on spurs and climb a tree to tie a rope to help pull it down when you used the chainsaw to take it down. Memories of walking along the pulled up nets on the beach, trips to Rudee Inlet for crabbing, visits to Franklin where we would walk the plowed fields picking up peanuts, and the summers filled with fresh produce - tomatoes, cucumbers, green beans, and fresh ears of corn. Dad you always knew how to pick the sweetest melon! Fall meant a trip to the mountains to get Apples! My love of fried oysters when you brought them home Fresh from the Chesapeake Bay' and steamed shrimp with Old Bay' seasoning!

You taught me how to maintain a car and helped me learn about car parts on older cars before computers were introduced. You helped me learn to build such things as a huge dog house' with siding, and re-do an old truck camper top into a cute custom one. Your sharing of knowledge helped me in my employment with my positions at Diamond Hill Plywood and Richard's Paint Manufacturing Company. I learned from you if something is broken, open it up and perhaps you can fix it - it's broken anyway. I have been able to fix some items, but Dad you were definitely Mr. Fix It'.

You were always great with your Grand-Twins, Daniel and Valerie and loved wearing your Grand-Twins' caps. We'll always cherish those times!

I was glad to be able to come and stay with you when Mom had her surgery and little did we know it was training for the following year when she fell and broke her leg. The month I spent with you while she recovered gave me more memories, especially as the Parkinson's Disease was gradually getting worst. The last year was hard seeing you losing your fight with Parkinson's but now I know you're doing one of your many activities you loved to do, with Lyn by you side!

I love you Dad and until I see you again!
Sandra

January 18, 2018

Merilea Johnson

Susan, oh my dear friend, as I sit here with tears in my eyes after reading your entry. You had wonderful times with your Dad. He was an incredible man. He lives in each of you forever. Everyone in your family is his legacy. That contagious smile of his has been passed down to each of his kids. I loved watching him on the dance floor with you and your Mom. You all made it look so easy. He tried several times to teach me, I don't think I ever got It! He was loved by many and we be missed so much. My prayers and thoughts are with all the Heffington Family.

January 18, 2018

Marti Crutcher

You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers always. Keep those happy memories!

January 17, 2018

Brenda Holzmacher

Thinking of all of the family. So many great memories with the Heffington family. Linwood was the husband, father,and friend that every woman deserves. I loved to watch him watch wrestling, he could walk that chair all over the floor. When he was on the dance floor he lit up the whole room. He spoiled me with some of his special flowers over the years. Rest In Peace Linwood you have earned it. "You were a great man." Until we meet again, save a dance for me!

January 17, 2018

Sandy Clutter

My sympathy to the whole family.
Fond memories of Indian Cove when he tried to teach me how to jitterbug.

January 16, 2018

Larry & Babs Pringle

Our deepest sympathy to Aunt Dot, Sandra, Judy, and Susan. We will always remember Uncle Linwood with fondness.

January 16, 2018

Shelly Kyle

Thinking of the family as you go through this time of sadness and sorrow. Hold on to the memories you have of Linwood and he will keep you smiling. I smile remembering the times I was part of family gatherings with Susan. He had an amazing way of lighting up the whole room with his laughter. Sending prayers of strength to all of you.

January 16, 2018

Family

Richard & Ginger Buonaiuto

You will be missed by all who knew you. Our heartfelt condolences to Aunt Dot and the family.

January 16, 2018

Susan George

I love you Daddy! I will miss you but know that you are no longer suffering from Parkinson's Disease. I am glad I was able to be with Mom when you passed away. The gradual progression of this debilitating disease can not be ignored, but you truly were a fighter. The last few years have been difficult watching you decline from the disease: from the loss of your smile to your slow shuffled walk, so I choose to remember the good times and and will treasure these memories forever!
You taught me so many things! I learned about growing vegetables like snaps, cucumbers, peppers, zucchini, butter beans, tomatoes, and even growing grapes. You taught me how to find worms, bait, cast, and reel in fish from the beach, Chesapeake Bay Bridge Pier, or the canal at Indian Cove, although I don't think I ever could take a fish off of the hook! You made sure I knew some things about cars, like checking the oil and transmission fluid, and changing tires, but thank goodness I have AAA and a dealership to do this now. I am not sure I got it, but you tried to pass along your green thumb for growing the beautiful flowers that blossom in the yard from the azaleas, gardenias, and hydrangeas, to the camellias and crepe myrtle trees. Rachel, Andrew, and I will continue to pick them for Mom to honor your hard work. You were always the King of the Charcoal Grill and shared how to cook steaks, chicken, hamburgers, and one of your all time favorites: hot dogs! You could never grill without eating at least one hot off the grill! But one of the best memories i treasure is you teaching me to dance! You were always the talk of the dance floor no matter where you were. I used to love us dancing to any kind of music, but especially jitterbugging under the pavilion at Indian Cove, at the Moose Lodge where you and Mom went weekly when we were younger (little did you know that your own kids and their friends were cranking up the music and dancing with the disco ball and strobes lights in the living room), and I loved trading the traditional father-daughter slow dance for a jitterbug at my wedding to Paul. I sure wish you would have taught Paul how to jitterbug! Rest In Peace! Until we dance again... I love you daddy!

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Memorial Events
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Jan

21

Visitation

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Rosewood-Kellum Funeral Home

601 North Witchduck Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23462

Jan

21

Service

1:00 p.m.

Rosewood-Kellum Funeral Home

601 North Witchduck Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23462

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Rosewood-Kellum Funeral Home

601 North Witchduck Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23462

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