Mrs. Frances Edene Heathman

The dust was blowing, the tumbleweeds rolling, as Frances Edene ("Tooter") Jennings was born on March 29th, 1935 to Raymond and Emma (Wood) Jennings near Perryton, Texas. She was welcomed by her big brother Leland Lewis "Bud" Jennings and sisters Mary Ellen Jennings, Lou Rae Jennings, and Ema Jean Jennings. For some time, given the memorable dust storm on the day of her birth, Edene was known as "Dusty", but later earned the nickname of "Tooter" (origin unknown). Edene was a fun-loving, determined, and mischievous child with a vibrant and vivacious personality, greatly loved by all who knew her.

Early years were spent on a ranch on Kiowa Creek in rural Ochiltree County, Texas, and Edene first attended school in Perryton, Texas. She played the organ and accordion and loved to dance. She attended high school at St. Joseph's Catholic Girls' Boarding School in Gutherie, Oklahoma. During the summers she would live with her older sister, Mary Ellen (Jennings) and her husband Charles Maschmeier in Liberal, Kansas and rural Turpin, Oklahoma.

Following graduation, Edene moved to Wichita, Kansas where she lived with her older sister, Ema Jeanne and worked for Jack Spratt Road Machinery. Ema Jeane would introduce her to the love of her life, Virgil L. Heathman, who was stationed at McConnell Air Force Base. They married on July 28th, 1956 in St. Louis, Missouri.

After their wedding, Edene and Virgil settled down to married life in Wichita, where following the service Virgil went to work for Boeing as an aircraft electrician. They shared a rather spoiled black poodle they named "Fifi". One of their most favorite memories occurred when Virgil purchased Edene a 1959 yellow Cadillac of the showroom floor in Wichita. The beautiful car, which is in original condition and housed at their daughter Kellie's home, sports the custom plates "Edene".

On February 11th, 1961 the couple welcomed their first child, a handsome boy they named Kevin Wayne, born at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas. On December 6th 1963 they added their darling little girl, Kellie Lynne, also born at Wesley Medical Center.

In 1965 the family moved down to Grapevine, Texas, as Virgil had taken a position as an aircraft engineer with Braniff International. They purchased a home two blocks from Lake Grapevine, which was the couple's home until Virgil's and Edene's passing. The family spent many hours boating and skiing on the lake, frequently getting some time in prior to the children having to be at school during the school year. They purchased a Winnebago Motor Home, and would cruise off to Lake Ouachita in Arkansas, boat in tow. Although Edene never learned to swim, she could ski like nobody's business, and was an expert whether with two skis or one.

Edene worked as a secretary at Texas Instruments, retiring after over 20 years of service. During those years, Edene suffered from serious back and neck issues, which resulted in multiple surgeries. They did not keep her down, though, as she and Virgil remained active in the Late Great Chevys and Cursers Car Clubs, winning multiple awards with the periwinkle blue 1958 Chevrolet Impala Convertible Virgil had restored to perfection. Edene and Virgil were able to see many of their favorite Country-Western singers in concert, including Mel Tillis and Barbara Mandrel.

Edene was ecstatic when she learned at she would be a Nana. She welcomed grandsons Dace W Heatherman, Andrew Tyler Heathman, and Lacon Scott Cooper with great joy and spend many hours with them as they grew up. She and Virgil cherished these times beyond measure.

Edene was always such a classy lady. She always made up, dressed up, and showed up for every event, always in the perfect outfit with her hair and makeup absolute perfection. She was vivacious and loving, and an excellent hostess and cook who loved to entertain. Edene was known for having style and presence and was a lovely lady all the way around.

So many people have such wonderful memories of Edene. Edene was a wonderful person, a loving ad dedicated wife, and a loving and joyful mother and Nana. Edene epitomized the Proverbs 31 woman and was a blessing to all who knew her, keeping home and hearth beautifully.

Edene is survived by her son Kevin Heathman; daughter Kellie Cooper and husband Jeffrey; grandson Dace Heathman and wife Laura with their sons Kiev and Roan; grandson Tyler Heathman and his girlfriend Courney Ford; grandson Lacon Cooper and wife Brooke, and many adoring nieces and nephews. Edene was preceded in death by her loving husband of nearly 63 years, Virgil; her parents, Emma and Ray; her brother Leland "Bud" Jennings; sisters Mary Ellen Jennings Maschmeier, Lou Rae Jennings Hudson, Ema Jeanne Jennings Singhisen; nephews Robert Maschmeier and Joe Neil Jennings and infant twin niece and nephew Jennings.

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Frances Edene Heathman

Frances Edene Heathman, of Grapevine, Texas, passed away on December 11, 2019 in Grapevine, Texas. She will always be remembered as a loving wife, mother, Nana and Friend, to all that knew and loved her. She was born on March 29th, 1935 in Perryton, Texas to Raymond and Emma (Wood) Jennings.

Edene is survived by her son Kevin Heathman; daughter Kellie Cooper and husband Jeffrey; grandson Dace Heathman and wife Laura and their sons Kiev and Roan; grandson Tyler Heathman and his girlfriend Courtney Ford; grandson Lacon Cooper and wife Brooke. Edene was preceded in death by her loving husband of nearly 63 years, Virgil; her parents, Emma and Ray; her brother Leland “Bud” Jennings; sisters Mary Ellen Jennings Maschmeier, Lou Rae Jennings Hudson, Ema Jeanne Jennings Singhisen; nephews Robert Maschmeier and Joe Neil Jennings and infant twin niece and nephew Jennings.

Arrangements for Momma:

The visitation will be held from 6 – 8 o’clock p.m. on Tuesday, December 17th at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home. The Funeral Service will be held at 12:30 on Wednesday, December 18th at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park .

Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home

5725 Colleyville Blvd

Colleyville, Texas 76034

817-498-5894