Martha (Keith) Heflin

Former Fairfield resident, Martha “Marty” (Keith) Heflin, 80, passed from this world to a better one on March 29, 2022 at 9 p.m. at her home in Franklin, TN. Born April 6, 1941 to Lewis and Ethel (Rickard) Keith in St. Louis, MO. She was a graduate of Fairfield Community High school (FCHS) Class of 1959. She graduated from Vanderbilt University with a BSN degree in 1963. Marty married Ron Heflin also of FCHS class of 1959, they had celebrated 59 years of marriage.

Marty worked as a registered nurse until 1970. After raising her two sons, she returned to college and received her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology in 1993 from University of Evansville. She then accepted a position as Administrator of the Wayne County Health Department, where she served 13 years until retirement in 2007. She was a member of Beta Eta chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha and a member of the Fairfield Memorial Hospital board.

Marty served her community in many ways. When her sons were young she was a Cub Scout den mother. In recent years as a member of First United Methodist Church she started the prayer shawl ministry “Knit Together”. She loved animals and was particularly fond of Terriers, owning Welsh and Border Terriers over the years including the locally renowned Welsh Terrier Dr. Pepper, a certified therapy dog that made many visits to the Fairfield nursing home. She was skilled in many crafts and loved sharing and teaching knitting and crocheting. An excellent public speaker, Marty shared her work at the Health Department, and her hobbies with various local groups.

Marty is survived by her husband Ronald W. Heflin of Franklin, TN; sons Keith (Debra) Heflin of Ridgecrest, CA and Floyd (May) Heflin of Franklin, TN. Also surviving are grandchildren Heather Dyson, Aiden Heflin, Claire Heflin, Emma Heflin, Jack Heflin, and Eliza Heflin; great grandchildren Honor Dyson, Wyatt Dyson, and Amelia Heflin; Sisters Connie (Rod) Reid and Lew Jean Rush of Fairfield along with many nieces and nephews.

Marty was preceded in death by her parents, Lewis and Ethel (Rickard) Keith of Fairfield. Her compassion, creativity, wit, and dedication to her family, friends and her work will be remembered by all who knew her.

Martha’s funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday April 9th, 2022 at Cornerstone Community Church. Burial will follow at Maple Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. until time of service. Memorials may be made to the Dennis Scranton Memorial Cancer Fund or Shriner’s Children’s Hospital and will be accepted at Nale’s Funeral Home in Fairfield or the Cornerstone Community Church.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be left for the family at www.nalesfuneralhome.com. Nale’s Funeral Home is assisting the family.

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