Mildred N. Heath

She was one of four daughters and a son born to Claude and Jimmie Nail on April 28, 1919. She married the late William Heath in 1940 in B’ham and was his devoted wingman as he entered WWII as an Air Corps bomber pilot. Throughout their 62-year marriage, Mildred and “Heath” traveled around the country for his training, even living in France in the 1950s during the Korean War. After the war, they settled back into Birmingham where she worked 30 years as an executive legal secretary for Vulcan Materials, served as president of the local Executive Women’s International chapter, and was a life-long member of Dawson Memorial.

Her passion the last 40 years was ballroom dancing, with her and Heath belonging to several dance clubs and frequently taking to the dance floor of The Club on Friday nights. In fact, as recent as two weeks prior to her passing, friends could still see her gracing the dance floor preparing to follow Heath’s lead when they reunite.

Mildred is survived by one child, Janet Dent (Joe), of Seminole, and two granddaughters, Jessica Oslin (Jason) of Indialantic, FL and Jacquelyn Dent (Dave Gull) of Perth, Australia along with numerous nieces and nephews. She also was eagerly anticipating her first greatgrandchild, Claire Oslin, in November. Beyond her faith, she felt family was the most important thing in the world, followed closely by Alabama football. She embodied Southern grace, love, and dignity, and continued to touch the hearts and souls of all she met.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation Monday, August 12 from three o'clock in the afternoon until 5 o'clock in the afternoon and Tuesday, August 13 beginning at 10 o'clock in the morning followed by a celebration of Mildred's life at 11 o'clock in the morning at Ridout’s Valley Chapel, Homewood, AL. The Rite of Committal will immediately follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham. On Friday August 16 at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, there will be a Celebration of Mildred's Life at the Lake Seminole Square auditorium in Seminole.

In lieu of flowers those desiring to remember Mildred with memorial contributions, may direct them to the Jimmie Hale Mission or Suncoast Hospice Foundation.