Thelma Witt Heath, 84, of Fayetteville, passed away on Friday, January 06, 2017, after a lengthy illness at her home.

Born August 29, 1932, to William and Rebecca Witt in Krypton, KY she married her husband, Harold "Tugboat" Heath, and made Fayetteville her home in the spring of 1951. Over the years, she worked as a nursing assistant at Pittman Hospital, a lead worker for both Dixie Yarns and Tolar Hart Mills, and finally, owned and operated the Crystal Drive-In on Gillespie Street for its last 15 years.

Always known as a kind and compassionate woman, she not only fostered and helped many children and adults along her journey in life, but also actively supported the St. Josephs' School for Lakota-Sioux children in South Dakota for over 25 years. She was an avid bird lover and gardener. She was a tremendous Southern cook who put her heart and love in every dish she prepared both professionally and for her family and friends. She loved country, gospel, and bluegrass music and loved to dance. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold; her oldest son, Marion Anthony Heath; and her son-in-law, Thomas Dean.

She is survived by her brother, Raleigh Witt (Donna) of Hot Springs, AK; daughters, Rachel Heath of the home, Rebecca H. Dean of Fayetteville, Sallie Lynn Simpson (Bobby) of Waterbury, CT, and Sarah Carr (Rick) of Garner, NC; her son, Charles Heath (Diana) of Elyria, OH; grandchildren, Warren Stewart of Fayetteville, James Stewart of Ocracoke, NC, Katherine Carr of Ft. Gibson, OK, Kristina Carr of Newark, NJ, and Andreau Baker of Fayetteville; 7 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held on Friday, January 13, 2017 at 11 am in First Presbyterian Church on Ann Street with the Reverend Donna Fowler-Marchant officiating. The burial will follow at LaFayette Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Thursday evening, January 12, from 7 to 9 pm at Jernigan Warren Funeral Home and other times at her home at 3150 Crows Nest Drive.

Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church Education and Missions Fund or to the Shriners Cripple Children's Fund.

The family would like to thank the staff at Carolina Rehab of Cumberland, Hospice Caretakers of 3HC as well as the many doctors and staffs at Cape Fear Valley Hospital who served to make her life richer this past year.