The Rev. Edward C. Heist, 90, of Thomasville, NC, formerly of Center Twp. and Rochester, PA, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, July 3, 2025, at Hinkle Hospice House, Lexington, NC.Born September 18,1934, in Allentown, PA, he was a son of the late Allen and Grace Ziegler Heist. He was a member of Emerywood Baptist Church, High Point, NC.
He was a devoted American Baptist minister who served numerous congregations throughout Pennsylvania and Ohio. Following his formal retirement, he continued to answer the call to ministry by serving as an interim pastor for various churches, offering guidance and leadership during times of transition.
He was deeply involved with Christians United, serving for many years on its Board and as President from 1989 to 1990.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Eastern University in 1956, a Bachelor of Divinity from Andover Newton Theological School, and a Master of Science from the University of Scranton. He was ordained to the ministry in May 1959 at the First Baptist Church of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
He was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 53 years, Lois Heist, on September 28, 2011, and a brother, Raymond Heist.
Surviving are two daughters, Kerry Hanne and her husband George, Huntersville, N.C., and Lisa Lewis and her husband Doug, Mount Holly, NC; a son, David Heist and his husband Chuck Clifton, Durham, NC; five grandchildren, Stefanie Hanne and her wife Elissa Norton, Durham, NC; Chelsea Poser and her husband Ryan, Huntersville, NC; Brad Hanne and his wife Maureen, Charlotte, NC; Jake Lewis, Beaver, PA, and Sydni Lewis, Mount Holly, NC, and a great-granddaughter, Noelle Hanne.
Friends will be received Monday, August 4, 2025, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Sechrest-Davis Funeral Home, 18 Randolph Street, Thomasville, NC 27360. A service will follow Monday at 1:30 p.m. at Emerywood Baptist Church, 1300 Country Club Drive, High Point, NC 27262, with the Rev. Dr. Justin Cox officiating.
Additional visitation will be held Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, from 10:30 a.m. until time of memorial service at 11:30 a.m. at Woodlawn American Baptist Church, Aliquippa, PA. The Rev. Howard Irwin will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made, if desired, to Hospice of Davidson County, 200 Hospice Way, Lexington, NC 27292, or Christians United, 1098 Third St., Beaver, PA 15009. Online condolences may be shared at www.SechrestDavisThomasville.com - select obituaries.
