FRANCES MARIE METHENY HEETER

Frances Marie Metheny Heeter, age 95, passed away peacefully in her sleep on October 27, 2022, in Jefferson City, MO.  Born March 13, 1927, in Pierce City, MO, to Sylvia and Alpha  Metheny, she was forever known to her family and friends only as Fanny. To all who knew her, Fanny was the source of lively good humor and saucy conversation, the life of every party and the happy “grandmother” to neighborhood children of all ages.

Fanny treasured her early years in Pierce City, where she attended elementary and high school, met her husband, James Lee “Higgins” Heeter, and maintained deep friendships throughout her life.  Married in 1947, Fanny and Higgins created many happy memories raising their two sons, Jim and Sidney (known as Beaver), in Pierce City before the family moved to Jefferson City in 1960, where Higgins accepted a position with the Sherwin Williams Company and Fanny joined United Telephone, later Sprint, as a telephone operator.  Always a talented competitor, Fanny challenged the men in her company and won a test board position never before held by a woman.  Following her retirement, Fanny and Higgins traveled to Hawaii and enjoyed countless happy hours with friends and their three beloved grandchildren in Kansas City.

Widowed too soon in 1991, Fanny loved her home in Jefferson City, and the constant stream of friends, neighbors and relatives who entertained and cheered her, but her heart never entirely left Pierce City. She kept the home she built with Higgins and long thought she might return someday. Few people laughed as much as Fanny or were more skilled at making every visitor, especially children, feel at home. She loved and spoiled a series of loyal Cocker Spaniels—several of whom she named “Dobie”—and in recent years she adopted three feral cats who affectionately warmed to her while avoiding everyone else.  A member of the United Methodist Church of Jefferson City, Fanny also belonged to the Pierce City chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Fanny is survived by her sons, Jim Heeter of Golden, CO, and Sidney Heeter of Jefferson City; her daughter-in-law, Judy; her grandchildren, Jay Heeter, Leigh Heeter Fiske (Aaron) and Lindsey Heeter Krom (Kevin); and her grandchildren, Calvin and Josie Heeter, Ella and Adeline Fiske, and Jackson Krom, all of whom will deeply miss their cherished “G-G-ma.” She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Edna Mae Barnes of Mt. Vernon, MO.

The family wishes to sincerely thank Fanny’s dear friend and neighbor, Tammie Thurman, her husband Kevin and their son, Daniel, for their steadfast love and support during her final years. Their enduring care and daily companionship enabled her to remain in her home until her final days.

A service in celebration of Fanny’s life will be offered at Houser-Millard Family Chapel, 2613 West Main Street in Jefferson City at 2:00 pm on Friday, November 4, with preceding visitation at 1:00 pm.  Burial and graveside services will follow in Pierce City, MO, on Saturday, November 5 at noon.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Pierce City Cemetery Association, 2190 Lawrence 2230, Pierce City, MO 65723-7201.
 

Category:

Lawrence County Record

312 S. Hickory St.
Mt. Vernon, MO, 65712
www.lawrencecountyrecord.com

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