Obituary

Newton Earl Heath, 85, of Columbus, MS passed away Thursday, January 21, 2016, at his home surrounded by his family.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, January 22, 2016 at 11:00 AM with Rev. Anne Russell Bradley officiating and Rev. Tony Proctor assisting in the Lowndes Funeral Home Chapel, Columbus, MS. Visitation will be an hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Sparta United Methodist Church Cemetery, Holcomb, MS with Lowndes Funeral Home directing.

Earl Heath was born February 20, 1930, to the late Newton Holland and Myrie Onyx Heath in Carroll County, MS. He graduated from J. Z. George High school in 1948. He served as a Corporal in the United States Army during the Korean War from 1951-1953. On July 11, 1954, Earl married the former Nancy Neely of Holcomb, MS at Sparta United Methodist Church in Holcomb. He was employed with South Central Bell for 37 years, retiring in 1984. Earl was a Member of Telephone Pioneers and New Hope Service Club, and he enjoyed woodworking, gardening, cooking, and telling "tall tales". He was affectionately known as "Gocky" by his four granddaughters and great granddaughters. In addition to his parents, Mr. Heath is preceded in death by his sister-Margaret Heath Lester.

Mr. Heath is survived by his wife of 61 years-Nancy Neely Heath, Columbus, MS; daughters-Ann (Stacy) Hester, Brandon, MS and Susan Heath (Paul) McGilvra, Walhalla, SC; four granddaughters-Jennifer Hester (Jamie) Anderson, Columbus, MS, Lauren Hester (Brandon) Garriga, Neely Hester, Emily Hester, all of Brandon, MS; four great-grandchildren-Olivia Ball, Carson Ball, Grayson Garriga, and Anna Peyton Garriga; brothers-Robert Heath, North Augusta, SC, Glenn Heath, Starkville, MS and Bruce (Bobbie) Heath, Carollton , MS; one sister-Mary Ann Heath, Pittsburgh, PA; sister-in-law-Christine Neely, Holcomb, MS; and he also leaves a host of nieces and nephews behind.

Pallbearers will be Holland Heath, Lee Neely, Curtis Younger, Mike Smith, Jamie Anderson, and Brandon Garriga. Honorary Pallbearers will be Dr. Michael Duckworth, Dr. Susan Taylor, and Stuckenschneider Sunday School Class.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 602 Main Street, Columbus, MS 39701 or Sparta Cemetery Fund, 5346 Sparta Rd., Holcomb, MS 38940.

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