Mrs. Ethel T. Heard

This Is My Story

It was the 350th day of 1949, on a Friday that the Town of Edwards, Hinds County, Mississippi was awakened to the joyous sounds of praise on my arrival. I opened my eyes and looked around to see my caring and loving parents John W. Thomas and Sallie Mosley Thomas. After careful consideration and much thought, they named me Ethel Lee Thomas. My name Ethel means "God is with me," it also means "noble or righteous." The next time you will be able to use your 1949 Calendar will be in 2028, and I want you to celebrate me again on Friday, December 16, 2028.

I accepted Christ as my personal Lord and Saviour when I was young at Saint Mark Missionary Baptist Church. I served as the Church Secretary for many years. I chaired the following programs: Pastor Anniversary, Church Anniversary and Women In Red. Whenever a member passed at the church, I was always asked to be the Mistress of Ceremony. I joined Resurrection Outreach Ministries and was ordained an evangelist in 2007 under the leadership of Bishop Anna L. Roach. As a member of Resurrection Outreach Ministries, I served as chairwoman of Pastor's Love
Day, Family and Friends Day and any other place I was needed. I was a servant and loved to help other people. I was educated at Edwards Elementary and Edwards Junior High School. I am a proud graduate of Hinds A.H.S. (Class of 1968). In 1970, I graduated from Utica Jr. College. In 1972, I received my bachelor's degree, from "Thee I Love" Jackson State University in Social Work.

I furthered my education by obtaining a master's degree in social work. I retired from the Mississippi Department of Education as a Truancy Officer. I also worked at Edwards Attendance Center as Officer Manager/Secretary. I had a passion for young people and senior citizens. The Former Mayor Marcus Wallace appointed me as Coordinator for the Town of Edwards Mayoral Health Council. I worked diligently with my faithful seniors and youths of the Teen Summit. I had planned a train trip for the seniors to New Orleans on Sunday, August 25th with a return date, August 27th but God had other plans for me.

I was a "Mommy's Girl," I could talk her into giving me anything I desired (well almost anything). I had a good time, was happy, friendly, and outgoing. People always sensed my warmth and fairness. For this reason, I attracted many people who needed comfort, including the disadvantaged. In addition to me achieving higher education milestones, I met Tyrone Heard, Sr. and we were united in holy matrimony. On August 15, 1989, we fell in love with our bundle of joy. We welcomed our son Tyrone Heard Jr. "TJ" as we affectionately called him. TJ is the child that I prayed for, a true blessing from God. On Sunday, August 25, 2024, at 1:31 a.m. God dispatched an angel to the Baptist Hospital ICU Unit, Room 3204, to summons me to my reward. Although, I am gone from your sight, I shall forever be in your hearts and minds. To cherish my memories are my son, Tyrone Heard, Jr.; grandchildren Kayden "Kay" Anderson and Tyrone "Three" Heard III; my daughter-n-love Kalah Jones, nephews, nieces, cousins, special friends; Jean Wallace Byrd my childhood friend, the Golden Girls and the Golden Girls in training, Mrs. Eunice Moore, my Faithful Seniors, Mayoral Health Council/ Teen Summit Youths; my sisters-n-love Ethel R. Peyton, Rubbie Thompson, Jeanette Heard, Loretta Robinson and Arlene Heard, my brother-n-love Roger Heard and my extended family the Wallace, Jackson, Anderson, Butler, Jelks, Mixon and Johnson families.

Standing at the beautiful gates of Heaven awaiting my arrival will be my parents John W. and Sallie Mosley Thomas, my siblings, Dr. Roosevelt Thomas, Exl Thomas and Mary Thomas Rhodes, my nephews Gerald Thomas and Freddie Rhodes, my dear friends Emma Smith Caston, Shaniece Jefferson-Thompson and a host of Witnesses in the Clouds.