Our mother, Elder E. Louise Heaggans, affectionately known as “Tootie” and “Wheezy,” came into the world on October 26, 1954. She was the eighth child born among Nate Turner, John Quincy, James Nathaniel (Barbarba), and Mary Lou, who preceded her to Glory, Eva Sara (John), Grace Ann, Martha Ann and Joe Lewis, to the late Quincy and Mary Joyce Houpe in Chapel Hill, N.C. She was later adopted and raised by the late J.C and Mary Lucy Sherrill.

Mama graduated from South Iredell High School and furthered her education by attending Shaw University.

In February of 1974, Mama married our late father, Wilford J. Heaggans, and to this union she had four boys whom she loved and was very proud. Mama was a caterer and baker. Her specialties were fried apple, cherry, and strawberry pies, and wedding and birthday cakes. Mama also taught co-ed soccer for a few years.

Mama showed her love and admiration for God as she worshipped at Mt. Tabor, and later at Clark’s Chapel in Statesville, where she entered the Ministry, sang in the Young Adult Choir, served on the Missionary Board, and was the Director of the Youth Choir. She later moved to her current membership of over 20 years to Visions Outreach Ministries also in Statesville, where she delivered the Word of God and memorably shared the Word through Bible study.

As much as she loved her boys, Thurston and Thurmond, Jay (Kisha aka “Black”), and D.D (Teresa aka “Reese”), Mama’s heart was full being “Nanna” to 11 grandchildren, Jasmine Heaggans, Jalen Sharpe, Kianna Powers (Andrew), Deja Sharpe, William Yount, Emmanuel Heaggans Sr., Jaylen Heaggans, Raelynn Heaggans, Caden Heaggans, Serenity Heaggans, and Imani Keaton, and she was overjoyed to be “Gi-gi” to Trent Powers, Jayce Sharpe, Kiora Powers, Kendolyn Powers, and Emmanuel Heaggans Jr. Her honorary grandchildren are Ken and Taylor Barber, DJ (Hannah) Summers, and Sortori (Carloe).

Even though she birthed children of her own, she “adopted” many children along the way, a few of which are Dawn Collins, Alan Basinger, Lamont Summers, and Elmer and Melinda Barber. She is the Godmother to Kenston (Sherry)Griffin and James Davidson.

She had the love of special friends in her life: Ann Griffin (Winford), Murphey Wellman, Apostle Deborah Graham, Veronica and Derick Summers, and Yasmine Nichols.

Rutledge & Bigham Mortuary is serving the family.