She was the second child of six born to Benjamin and Pearl Harrison of Trenton. At age 18, she married the love of her life and became the hard working helpmate of a tobacco farmer; and over the next 20 years, mother of six fondly referred to as two separate crops, Hugh, Glenda and Arden and seven years later, Rebecca, Calvin and Esther. She was active in the Cove City community and was a dedicated member of Core Creek FWB Church and when the church doors were open, her family was present and accountable. Her strong belief in God, hard work and the importance of education were taught thru her life and the good morals and values established in her home.
In 1984, Lillian completed her pilgrimage to Jerusalem; and in 2000, keeping with her firm belief and faith in Christianity and education, she established the Lillian Harrison Heath Family Endowment Fund at Mount Olive College.
In her early 50's and due to her husband's failing health, she returned to school. Over the next 14 years, she was a Nursing Assistant at Craven County Hospital. She continued her nursing assistant duties providing private sitting services up until the age of 80. As her health declined over the next several years, her family provided the necessary assistance, allowing her to remain at home.
Lillian was preceded in death by her husband, Hugh Otha Heath, Sr.; son, Hugh Otha Heath Jr.; and grandson, Joshua Logan Heath.
She is survived by two sons: Benjamin Arden Heath and wife, Diane of Cove City; Calvin A. Heath and wife, Debbie of Beulaville; three daughters: Glenda. H. Hawkins and husband, Fred of Cove City; Rebecca H. Hill and husband, Maurice of Kinston; and Esther H. Hardison and husband, Tony of New Bern; daughter-in-law Alice Faye Heath of Cove City; one brother, Ray Harrison of Trenton; grandchildren Lisa Heath Peszko and husband James of Knightdale; Rhonda Heath Weldin and husband, Joe of Cove City; Deanna Hawkins Rouse and husband Rex of Cove City; Donna Hawkins Yeager and husband Bryon of Fayetteville; Michele Heath-Pilotte and husband Sean of Raleigh; Linda Heath Smith and husband Brad of Virginia Beach, VA; Paula Heath of New Bern; Mickey Hill and wife Jennifer, of Covington, Louisiana; Christie Hill Carter and husband Jonathan of Kinston; J.C. Heath of Beulaville; Jason Heath and wife Lauren of Kinston; Ryan Hardison and wife Chandra of Rose Hill; Candice Davis Bennett and husband Chris of Elizabeth City; and Danielle Davis Smith and husband Charlie of New Bern, NC; twenty-five great grandchildren; and one great great grandson.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, March 18, 2012 at 3:00pm at Core Creek FWB Church. Interment will be in the Cove City Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Core Creep FWB Church, 210 Trenton Road, Cove City, NC 28523; Mount Olive College, 634 Henderson Street, Mount Olive, NC 28365 and/or Meals on Wheels c/o Craven Co. Senior Services, Post Office Box 12039
New Bern, North Carolina 28561-2039.
Online condolences may be made to the Heath Family at www.cottenfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements by Cotten Funeral Home & Crematory.
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