Larry Heathcote

Larry Wayne Heathcote, 69, of Corsicana went to be with his Lord and Savior on January 4, 2014. He passed from this earth at his home surrounded by his family. Larry was born January 19, 1944 to Benjamin Franklin Heathcote and Katie Ruth Heathcote. He grew up one block south of the Cotton Mill Factory in Corsicana where both of his parents were employed. He loved and cherished his time living on the “Cotton Mill Block” - as it was called- and often reminisced about the tight knit community of the neighbors and workers there later in life. It was no secret to his family how much he had loved playing baseball in the field next to the mill during his childhood. Larry graduated from Corsicana High School in 1962 and attended Navarro College. In 1970, he earned a Bachelors of Science Degree from Stephen F. Austin State University and later received his teacher certification. He taught for Corsicana ISD 37 years before retiring in 2007. He began his teaching career at Drane Middle School. Most of the years spent in the classroom, however, took place at Collins Middle School teaching 8th grade science. One of his favorite times of the school year was when the students built rockets. He truly enjoyed helping students build and launch them. From 1965 to 1971, Larry served in the Army National Guard. The friendships formed there lasted the rest of his life. He told stories and joked about his time in the National Guard. However, he expressed sorrow when he remembered the time he and other local guard members had to help clean up the plane crash that took place in Dawson in 1968. Larry married Beverly Kay Nevill on December 3, 1971, and they recently celebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary. They made their home together in Corsicana and raised two children, Barry and Christina. Both were blessed in 2004 when their granddaughter Laura was born and in 2007 when Shawn Skaggs entered the family. Larry loved the Lord God with all his might, heart, and soul. As a child, he attended church services at Calvary Baptist Church in Corsicana with his parents. After marrying Beverly, he attended services with her at the West Tenth Avenue Church of Christ. Larry and Beverly later attended Westhill Church of Christ where he was baptized. He has remained a servant to the Lord ever since. Larry was and still is loved by so many. His kind heart and humble spirit only showed everyone what a remarkable person he was. He fought a good fight with cancer twice in his life. Finally, the Lord was pleased to call him home. Throughout his illness, he continued to show great faith in the Lord. Knowing Larry is a child of God is a gift and comfort to his family and friends. They know the promises the Lord has made and know that one day soon they will see Larry again. Philippians 3: 12-14 12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. He was preceded in death by his parents Benjamin and Katie Heathcote, sister Nezzie Mahoney, and nephew Douglas Weaver. He is survived by the love of his life and best friend, Beverly Kay Nevill Heathcote, son Barry Lynn Heathcote, and daughter and son-in-law Christina Michelle and Shawn Skaggs, both of Corsicana. He is survived by his granddaughter Laura Margarita Briceno, who brought so much love, pride, joy, and laughter to his life. He also leaves behind his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ed and Doylene Nevill of Trinidad, TX; sisters-in-law Sharon Thomas and husband Dan of Rockwall, Texas; Pam Thomas and husband Dan of Eureka, Texas; Judy Smith and husband Curtis of Corsicana; and brother-in-law Steven Nevill of Trinidad, Texas. He also leaves behind a host of nieces and nephews: Patricia Thomas, Robert Weaver, Stephanie Thomas, Emily Watson, Eric Singleton, Matthew Thomas, and Melanie Johnston. He is also survived by numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews. Visitation will be 6-8 PM Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Thursday, January 9, 2014 at Westhill Church of Christ with Sam Dilbeck and Solon Bailey Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at Hamilton-Beeman Cemetery. Pallbearers are Larry’s fellow CHS classmates from the class of 1962: Ronnie Odom, Ed Erwin, Don Bates, Billy Nelson, Gowan Murphy, and John McClung. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Westhill Church of Christ benevolence fund.

Larry Heathcote

January 19, 1944 - January 4, 2014