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Mrs. Vonnie Ree Coward Heath, age 78, a resident of 138 Castle Court, Washington, died Monday, May 4, 2020, at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville.

A private visitation for family will be held from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m. Thursday, May 7, 2020, at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington. A private funeral service for family will follow at 3 p.m. Thursday, May 7, 2020, in the Chapel of Paul Funeral Home & Crematory. Burial will follow in Oakdale Cemetery.

The following will serve as pallbearers: Ross Mills, McKinley Foster, Dean Taylor, Ray Heath, Steven Heath and Kevin Heath.

Mrs. Heath was born in Beaufort County on Jan. 6, 1942. She was the daughter of the late William Henry “Bill” Coward and Thelma Scott Coward. Mrs. Heath worked as a bank teller for several banks. In her spare time, she enjoyed yard work, working in her flowers, playing the piano, cooking, family gatherings, taking pictures and looking at old pictures.

Mrs. Heath was married to Carol Uzzell Heath, Sr., who preceded her in death, June 4, 2019.

Mrs. Heath is survived by her son William Earl “Jr.” Mills (Carla), of Washington; daughter, Kitty Mills Hedgepeth (William), of Washington; two stepchildren, Carol Heath Jr., of Vanceboro, Michael Heath (Kathryn), of Grifton; three grandchildren, Thomas Ross Mills (Amber), of Bath, Brandy Cleaton, of Greenville, Jamie Foster (McKinley), of Washington; seven great-grandchildren, Addison, Anna Lee, McKenzie, Presley, Sophia, Sadie, Wyatt; three stepgrandchildren, Steven Heath, of Grifton, Amanda Mickle, of Grifton, Kathleen Shepard (Scott), of Washington; step-great-grandchild, Noah Shepard; three brothers, Tex Coward (Lynette), of Chocowinity, Kenneth Coward (Vicky), of Washington, Danny Coward (Brenda), of Chocowinity; and four sisters, SueAnn Taylor (Dean), of Washington, Jeanette Beakes, of Washington, Cindy Coward, of Greenville, Pattie Kent (George), of Yorktown, Virginia.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Mrs. Heath was preceded in death by a brother, Timothy Coward, and a stepson, Steven Heath.

Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to the Children’s Miracle Network. Online condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington is honored to serve the Heath family.