Gayther Heddins
Gayther Heddins
1936-2017
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Gayther Heddins on March 4, 2017. He died peacefully at home surrounded by his loving wife of 61 years, his son and daughter.
He was born in Edgewood, June 2, 1936, to Albert William Heddins and Eula Frances Parker Heddins. He was the youngest of nine children.
He married his life-long sweetheart, Mary Dell Higginbotham Heddins. They would have celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary on May 7th of this year. He and Mary were blessed with four children; Billy G. Heddins, Tommy R. Heddin, Terri Heddin Baker and Kevin D. Heddins.
He began his working career at Ford Motor Company in Dallas. He left there to farm and ranch with his dad. In addition to farming and ranching, he worked with Kelly Springfield in Tyler from April 15, 1963, until May 1, 1993. He continued farming and ranching, with the help of his son, Tommy, until his death.
He was well-known for his huge heart, wonderful hugs and his vegetable gardening! He was lovingly called “Uncle Gatorade” by his great nieces and “Big “G” by his adoring son-in-law Scott. If he knew you and liked you, you probably had a love-name!
He was also well known for his abundant crops of watermelon, peas, onions, tomatoes and potatoes, just to name a few. He loved gardening and always grew extra to share with friends and family. He recently discovered pea seeds he had thought were lost! He was so excited to know the great pea lineage would carry on! His son Tommy will continue his legacy of farming and ranching.
He was preceded in death by his parents, eight siblings, youngest son, Kevin Heddin in 1987, grandson Cody England in 2013 and oldest son, Billy Heddin in 2014.
He is survived by his wife, Mary; son, Tommy, Edgewood; daughter, Terri and husband Scott Baker, Dallas, and daughter-in-law, Cathy Heddin, Edgewood; seven grandchildren, Jennifer Farnsworth and husband Johnathon, Canton, Cheree Kirkwood and husband Darren, Canton, Billy Frank Heddin, Edgewood, Nicholas Grabbs and wife Christine of Poetry, Patrick Grabbs of Dallas and Andrew Grabbs of Frisco, Haley Heddin and husband, Allen Williams of Canton; nine great-grandchildren, Jaden, Jordan, Jaycelyn and Jamieson Farnsworth, James R. Grabbs, Savannah G. Grabbs Blakely Rae Williams, Adison and Riley Kirkwood.
Services were held Wednesday Feb. 8, 2017, at the Eubank Funeral Home in Canton.
