Raymond Heard

Raymond Heard, 84, passed away March 9, 2011 at University of Toledo Medical Center. On January 9, 1927, Raymond Heard and Mamie Heard were born to the union of Waymond and Sarah Heard in El Dorado, Arkansas. He confessed Christ at an early age and resumed his Christian service at the St. Martyr's Catholic Church of El Dorado, where Raymond and Vera Cobb Heard were joined in Holy matrimony. Raymond and Vera resided in Clifton Forge, Virginia and moved to Toledo, Ohio in 1962, where the Heard family became active members of the St. Jude Catholic Church. To the union of Raymond and Vera Cobb Heard were born Gregory, Reginald, Kevin, Rupert, Bernard and Gerard Heard. Upon the death of Mamie Heard Floyd, Raymond's twin sister, Raymond raised Mamie's daughter, Shannetta Floyd Griffin, adding to their family of six boys a beautiful daughter. After the death of Vera Heard, Raymond married Debere Worley Heard, on December 26, 2008, with whom he spent the rest of his life. Socially, he enjoyed an active role in the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, XI TAU Chapter in Toledo, Ohio. Fondly called "Brother Ray", his fraternity brothers sought him out for support and even a great laugh. He was instrumental in the development of both the University of Toledo and Bowling Green State University chapters. On the afternoon of March 9, 2011, Raymond Heard was called from life to life everlasting. Preceding him in death were his mother, father, sister, and first wife. Left to continue his legacy of love are a wife, Debere Worley Heard; six sons, Gregory of Ypsilanti, Michigan, Reginald (Gertrude) of Marietta, Georgia, Kevin and Rupert of Gainesville, Florida, Bernard of Atlanta, Georgia, and Gerard of Chicago, Illinois, and one daughter, Shannetta (Rod) Griffin of Cincinnati, Ohio; grandsons, Gregory Heard, of Miami, Florida, Johnathan Heard of Gainesville, Florida and Roderick Griffin, Jr. of Cincinnati, Ohio; granddaughters, Ariana Heard of Marietta, Georgia, Tierra Griffin of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Shalandra Bowen of Toledo, Ohio and a host of nieces, nephews, and in-laws. Visitation will be Wednesday 4 - 8 p.m. with Omega Psi Phi Fraternity rites at 6:30 p.m. Dale-Riggs Funeral Home. Funeral services Thursday 11:00 a.m., Little Flower Roman Catholic Church, Father Joseph Steinbaurer celebrant. Interment Ottawa Hills Memorial Park. www.dalefh.com

Raymond Heard

March 10, 2011