Earl Richard Heath

Earl was the son of Esther Henry and Benjamin L. Heath and was born in Cleveland, OH. Earl was raised in OH and then moved to West Palm Beach, FL in his late teens. He served in the US Navy 1946-1947 before he graduated high school. He graduated Palm Beach High, West Palm Beach, FL in 1948 and was the class valedictorian. He then attended MIT in Boston, MA following graduation. He returned to West Palm Beach, FL following discharge from the Navy. He married the love of his life in Oakland Park, FL in 1951.

He worked for the National Linen service for over 40 years before retiring in Chattanooga, TN. He was also a Free Mason for over 50 years. In addition, he enjoyed numerous hobbies including being an avid crossword puzzler, an avid hiker with the Cumberland Hiking Club of Chattanooga, TN and had a license to build and operate a ham radio which he did. He also loved this hobby. He also taught safe driving for seniors through AARP and English as a second language. He was very involved with his church, Concord Baptist church, Chattanooga, TN. Earl will be very much missed and remembered by his family.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary Lou Williams Heath in 2002 and his brother, Benjamin E. Heath.

He retired and lived in Chattanooga since 1977 and resided with his daughter Joyce Heath Lee since 2016 in upstate New York.

Surviving family members are his daughters, Rebecca J. Heath, Joyce Lee Heath and her husband, Hoon Lee, and Donna J. Heath Jackson; nephew, Dwight B. Heath; grandchildren, Nathan Lee and his wife Kelly Bryson Lee, Carrie Lee, Michelle Perry Reyes, Anne Marie Perry Chapman, Jacob Jackson, Rachel Jackson, Molly Jackson. He also leaves behind 10 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you please donate to the Alzheimer's Research Foundation.

Please visit www.chattanoogavalleyviewchapel.com to share your thoughts and memories of Earl.

The family will receive friends from 4-6 PM Thursday at the Valley View Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 7414 Old Lee Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37421.