Virginia Heist

Virginia was born on November 6, 1939, and grew up in the Burnt Cabin and Chicken Creek communities, attending Pigeon School and later Bagley High School. In her younger years, she headed to Oklahoma City where she worked as a hostess at the Skirvin Hotel and spent some time modeling before life brought her back home.

Over the years, Virginia gave her time and talents to many places, including the Cherokee Village, Sequoyah High School, and Northeastern State University. She was active in the Federation of Indian Women and the Tenkiller Lake Association, always finding ways to stay connected to her community. A gifted seamstress, she loved to sew and often donated her time and work to causes close to her heart.

Family was always at the center of her world. She treasured her role as “Nannie,” loved her pets, and built a lifetime of memories traveling the country as a baseball player’s wife and mother; visiting stadiums, new states, and collecting stories that will be retold for years to come.

Virginia is survived by her son, Michael Heist, and wife De; three daughters, Shalah Heist, Lori Ross and husband Jerry, and Allyson Heist; and her sister, Betty Lowery. She leaves behind grandchildren Jayme Stepp and husband Wes, Michael Neighbors, Jayson Steeley, Whitney Neighbors, Shelby Childs and husband Brent, Lane Trammel and wife Andrea, Payton Walters, Marina Lozano, Martin “Rey” Lozano, and Ty Heist; as well as great-grandchildren Jaelyn Girty, Wyatt Stepp, Emmy Steeley, Sutton Steeley, Kayden Trammel, Gage Trammel, Korbin Trammel, Easton Neighbors, Ali Sosebee, Lincoln Sosebee, Cole Childs, and Mason Childs. She is also remembered by a host of nieces and nephews. A special thanks to her granddaughter Jayme, who was always by her side, and caring for her with love until the very end.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Nick, and Charlotte Byers; brothers Joe, Charlie, and Edward; and sisters Lillie, Fannie, Nancy, Annabelle, and Regina.