Heather Anne Montgomery
August 16, 1979 – October 17, 2018
Heather Anne Montgomery died peacefully in her home in Lawrenceville, GA on Wednesday, October 17, 2018. She was 39 years old.
Heather was born on August 16, 1979 in Thomasville, Georgia to Jane and Wood Montgomery, Sr. She grew up in Cairo surrounded by her family and a host of friends whom she charmed from a young age with her curly hair and constant laugh. “Heather Feather,” as she was affectionately called by almost everyone who knew her, never met a stranger and could make practically anyone smile. When she was 14, her family relocated to Braselton, Georgia. Heather was always creative, and during her teenage years she really began to develop her artistic ability. She loved to draw and could often be found sketching pictures of whatever was around her. She graduated from North Gwinnett High School in 1998, where she was a cheerleader. She attended Valdosta State University and The Atlanta Art Institute after high school.
Heather was christened and confirmed at First United Methodist Church in Cairo and attended Blackshear Baptist Church in Oakwood, Georgia as a teenager and an adult. She had the opportunity to travel to Israel with her family and some friends from the church and was baptized in the Jordan River. This was a significant experience for Heather, and her Christian faith was consistently central to her life.
She always had a way with children, probably due to her fun, adventurous personality, but there were none she adored more than her two nephews, Montgomery and Joseph, and her niece, Isabelle Jane. Heather loved her friends, art, sushi and visiting Hawaii with her family. But some of her best memories were spending long days on the shore of St. George Island with the friends and family who have always loved to gather there at the beach house. She will be remembered by everyone who knew her as a loving, gentle soul who was generous and sweet.
Heather is survived by her parents, Jane and Wood Montgomery, Sr. of Braselton, GA; her brother Wood Montgomery, Jr. (Mimi) of Kauai, Hawaii; her sister Christa Fann (Elliott) of Valdosta; her nephews and niece, Montgomery Fann, Isabelle Jane Fann and Joseph Fann, all of Valdosta; her aunts and uncles, Gail Bryan of Thomasville, Kay and John Ulmer of Conyers, Gail and Joel Ulmer of Whigham, Gail Maxwell of Waycross and Ellen Montgomery of Flowery Branch; and many cousins who loved her dearly throughout her life. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Christine and Joe Ulmer and Belle and Alvan Montgomery; her aunt, JoAnn Bridges; and uncle, Steve Montgomery.
The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, October 22, 2018, at First United Methodist Church in Cairo. Reverend Chris Brooks and Reverend Christy Bandy will officiate. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be David Hester, Clay Ulmer, Ralph Jones, Jr., Tad David, Parrish David, Drew David, Donnie Hand, Trent Ellis and Stan Ellis.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Heather’s name to: First United Methodist Church, 318 South Broad Street, Cairo, GA 39828; or to Atlanta Ronald McDonald House, 795 Gatewood Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30329 to help families of children in need.
