Darla was born October 26, 1970 in Killeen, to the Rev. John & Linda Abbey, and went home to be with the Lord on July 7, 2018, at her home, after bravely fighting a long battle with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. She was raised in the Killeen and Temple areas and graduated from Temple High School in 1989. She attended Texas A&M Baylor College of Dentistry where she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene. She enjoyed her work in the dental field for over 20 years as a Dental Assistant and Dental Hygienist.
She met and married the love of her life, Jody Heckathorn, on July 26, 1997, at Faith Temple in Killeen. Darla was very outgoing and always the life of the party. Her favorite pursuit was leading worship services at Peace Church in Mesquite, Texas, Free Life Church in Forney, Texas, and Bethel Church in Killeen where she was currently a faithful member and heavily involved in the Music Ministry.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 21 years, Jody Heckathorn; sons, Chase Heckathorn and his wife Megan, and Ace Heckathorn; daughter, Chelsea Heckathorn Wierwille and her husband Michael; grandson, Tyler Wierwille, parents, Rev. John and Linda Abbey; sister, Amy Abbey Seavey and her husband Christopher; brother, Aaron Abbey and his wife Brittany; nephews, Elijah Seavey and Benjamin Abbey; niece, Hannah Seavey; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be held 6:00-8:00 PM Friday, July 13, 2018, at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen, which is in charge of the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you please consider a donation in Darla’s memory to the Bethel Church Building Fund.
