(1932 - 2019)
The Rev. A.J. Heaton, age 87, a native and lifelong resident of Mineral Bluff, went into the presence of the Lord Saturday, December 28, 2019, in Union General Hospital in Blairsville.
A.J. was named after his two grandfathers, Adam and Jeffery. He was the son of the late S.V. Heaton and Jessie Nichols Heaton and was born in 1932 in Mineral Bluff. He was a graduate of UGA, and was very proud of that. A.J. served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany during the Cold War. A.J. pastored several churches during his life in the Mineral Bluff, Culberson and McCaysville areas. He had a great love for his church members and was always going into his spare bedroom and getting on his knees before God in prayer for their needs.
During his lifetime, he was a school teacher and a football and basketball coach, all of which he looked back on fondly. He was also an insurance agent, and enjoyed talking with people and witnessing to them when he could. His best advice that he would pass on was “Always be humble and kind” and “Love God, love everybody.”
He was preceded in death by his wife, Rachel Ann Postelle Heaton; a son, Markie Heaton; his parents, Sylvester Heaton and Jessie Nichols Heaton; sisters, Pauline Hardee, Bernadine Ralston, Yvonne Brown and Bronchonell Heaton; and brothers, Kell Heaton, Douglas Heaton and Gerald Heaton.
Surviving family members include daughter and son-in-law, Tami and Max Cochran; grandchildren, Anna and Ryan Goswick, Allison and Brandon Burkhead and Daniel and Allison Cochran; and great grandchildren, Ava Gladdin, Caylen Burkhead, Zeke Burkhead, Luke Goswick, Asher Burkhead, Lula Burkhead and a new grand-baby on the way.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, January 1, 2020, in the Chapel of Henry-Cochran Funeral Home in Blue Ridge with burial in Hot House Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family wishes to especially thank the staff at Union County Nursing Home and Dr. Sanders, for their loving care of A.J. through the years he was a resident there. He had a great love for you all. We owe you a debt we cannot pay.
Arrangements were entrusted to the care of Henry-Cochran Funeral Home of Blue Ridge. Please share your condolences and fond memories with the family on our website, www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.