Hugh L Heard

A visitation for Hugh will be held Friday, April 25, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at M. J. Edwards Whitehaven Funeral Chapel, 5494 Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis, TN 38116. A celebration of life will occur Saturday, April 26, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at West Oak Grove Church of Christ, 3455 Hwy 51 S, Hernando, MS 38632. A committal service will occur Saturday, April 26, 2025 from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM at Forest Hill Memorial Park South, 2545 E Holmes Rd, Memphis, TN 38118.

Hugh L. Heard, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, departed this life on Sunday, April 20, 2025, at the age of 82. He leaves behind a legacy of love, faith, and service that will live on in all who knew him.

Hugh was born on November 28, 1942, in Coldwater, Mississippi, to the late Robert Lee Sr. and Cordelia Heard. At an early age, he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at the Bluff Road Church of Christ. Upon moving to Memphis, Tennessee, he became a faithful member of the Vance Avenue Church of Christ, which later relocated and became the Norris Road Church of Christ, where he continued to worship until his health began to decline.

A 1963 graduate of Tate County High School, Hugh went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in education from Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi. He dedicated over 30 years of service to the Memphis Defense Depot. Even after retirement, his work ethic endured as he continued to serve his community by cutting lawns for neighbors, friends, and family for over two decades.

Hugh was preceded in death by his beloved son, Orlando Heard, and eight brothers, Robert Heard Jr., Hubert Heard, Thelma Heard, Charles Heard, Willie Heard, Maurice Heard, Marvin Heard, and Eddie Heard Sr.

He is survived by: his loving wife of 59 years, Dorotho Heard; and four sons, Derrick Heard Sr. of Hilliard, OH; DeCedric Heard (Krystle) of Memphis, TN; Terrell Heard of Lithonia, GA; and Rodriguez Heard of Memphis, TN. His legacy continues through his grandchildren, Derrick Heard Jr., Demias Heard, CeCe Heard, Malaysia Heard, Makayla Heard, Maliyah Heard, and Rodriguez Jr. Heard; and great-grandchildren, Ezekiel Heard and Israel Martin.

Hugh also leaves to cherish his memory one brother, Larry Heard (Mary) of Birmingham, AL; and five sisters, Vernestine Dockery (Jim), Estelle Watkins, Dorothy Swauncy (Moses), Bessie Echols, all of Memphis, Tennessee, and Margaret Byrd of Pearl, MS. He is remembered with love by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.