Claudie Earl Heath, age 82, of Wallace died Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at his residence.

He was born May 6, 1927 in Lenoir County; the son of the late Felix and Hattie Batts Heath. He is predeceased by his wife of fifty-nine years, Grace Chambers Heath and six siblings.

Mr. Heath served his country honorably in the US Army during WWII and was a member of First Baptist Church of Wallace.

He is survived by his loving daughter, Gayle Sanderson of Myrtle Beach; grandson, Anthony Lawrence Sanderson of Berlin, Germany; special friend and caregiver, Lavern Blanton; brothers, Roy Heath of Jacksonville and Nelson Heath of Georgia; and sister, Ruth Outlaw of Kenansville.

Funeral service will be 11:00 am Thursday, December 3, 2009, at First Baptist Church of Wallace with the Reverend Roy Parker and the Reverend Dr. Jim Baldwin officiating.

Burial will follow in Devotional Gardens Mausoleum in Warsaw.

The family will receive friends at the Heath's home.

Memorial gifts may be given to First Baptist Church of Wallace, Music Ministry, 408 W Main St., Wallace, or to Carolina East Hospice, PO Box 887, Kenansville, NC 28349.

You may send condolences to the Heath family below.