Vallie Jean Heimann

Vallie Jean “VJ” Heimann, 79 of Huntsville, Alabama passed away on May 21, 2024. She was preceded in death by her father Walter D. Phillips, mother Bessie Mae Lanier Phillips, brother Walter D. Phillips, Jr, and nephew Teddy Lee Cotter.

Her father made his career in the Air Force and was stationed in various locations. While in the UK the family had the opportunity to watch the Coronation of Elizabeth II, an event she fondly remembered.

She graduated from Choctaw High School in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida class of 1962. She then attended nursing school at Charity Hospital until she had to withdraw due to illness. VJ met and dated Julius Foster, marrying on October 5, 1964. They lived among various locations, Topeka, Kansas and Eglin AFB, Florida being among them. A son, Gregory A. Foster, was born January 31, 1965.

After leaving Topeka, Kansas, she worked for Ft. Walton Beach Hospital as an EMT. She assisted in developing course outline for the Physician’s Assistant Training at Eglin AFB, Florida.

On the last Friday of August 1975, she was introduced to Randolph Heimann by a mutual friend. On the first Friday (5 September) of September 1975 they were married. In January 1976, they were transferred from Hurlburt Field, Florida to Patrick AFB in Coco Beach, Florida. On April 1, 1978 a son, Randolph Jr., was born at Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Florida. On March 3, 1979, they were transferred to Wheeler AFB, Hawaii until March 3, 1982 when they were moved to Shaw AFB, Sumter, South Carolina. VJ went to work in Tomey Hospital. She became active with the NCO Wives Club eventually serving as consecutive two term president of the club (1988 to 1990).

Upon Randolph’s retirement from the Air Force, there were two choices, to move to where there family was located either Pensacola, Florida or Huntsville, Alabama. Huntsville Hospital offered her a job first, where she started working as unit secretary in the emergency room. She worked there for about two years until she was lured to Crestwood Hospital working as the unit secretary. She worked in various departments until her retirement in January of 2018. Whoever she was associated with – work or social – good friends were made and kept close. She truly made the house a home.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband Randolph Heimann, Sr., sons Gregory Foster (Astrid), Randolph Heimann, Jr. (Marsha), granddaughters Aolani Foster, Elisabeth Heimann, sisters Janice Hagler, Wanda Harper, Patsy Phillips, along with several nieces and nephews.

A Visitation for VJ will be held on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 from 2:00pm until 3:00pm at Valhalla Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life Service will begin at 3:00pm. Interment will follow at Valhalla Memory Gardens in the Garden of Valor.