Ellen Christine Heckman Obituary (1925

Ellen Christine Heckman was born in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee to the late Comer and Bertha (Ramsey) Clayton. She was the first born of eight children. She moved to Canton with two of her sisters when they were old enough to get factory jobs. She gave birth to four boys and two girls, Gary Clayton (who died when he was 2 ½ years old), Keith “Tony” (Sally) Heckman, Bill Heckman and Edward Heckman (he died at the young age of 33 and served two tours in Vietnam), Judy Culberson, Joyce (Red) Simon. Also survived by grandchildren, Leslie, Kevin, Mike Culberson, Lorie Reno, Krissy Douglas,; great grandchildren, Kierston, Hailey and Austin Culberson, Abigail Culberson, William Douglas, Riley Reno, Rebecca Reno; sisters, Jeannette, Becky, Mildred “Dean”; one brother, Ralph Clayton; sister-in-law, June Clayton; many nieces and nephews.She is preceded in death by her brothers, Dillard and E. M. Clayton, and her loving sister, Belle. She is also preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Keith E. Heckman. Ellen was blessed with “Tennessee Blue Eyes” as blue as the sky. When she smiled her eyes twinkled.Mom’s greatest gift was her heart. She loved and cherished us all!. Mom’s senior group at Canton Temple of Praise (now Woodlawn Church) were mom’s extended family. We would like to extend our gratitude to John and Clara Schrade for their prayers and love during this very difficult time. They would always give mom a ride to and from church. Also thanks to the senior group for the heartwarming cards and flowers, encouragement, love, and friendship. That meant a lot to mom. She loved Esther and Clara like sisters! Mom wrote a few poems for the Lord, most of which was lost in the fire. Mom’s mother was a great cook, but mom was even better. When we visited grandma down home we thought we had died and went to heaven; so much good food such as homemade bisquits, fresh tomatoes, fried okra, and homemade butters and jellies and the best fried chicken and cake from “scratch” for dessert. God knows and so does Jesus, she is preparing a “Tennessee” dinner in heaven, because her main ingredient was “LOVE”. Mom never drove a car but she always had her famous chicken dinner on Sunday afternoon served with a heaping portion of “Southern Hospitality” Mom had a heart of gold . She never asked for much but would give anything she did have to anyone.