Memorials › Bedford Forrest Heath

Bedford Forrest Heath

10 Jan 1905 – 28 Nov 1970

Birth10 Jan 1905
Death28 Nov 1970
CemeteryOakwood Cemetery
Winona , Montgomery County , Mississippi , USA
Added byBeth Austin on 27 Nov 2021
FaGhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21357551

Bio

Forrest Heath, banker and civic leader, dies Funeral services were held here Sunday for Bedford Forrest Heath, former president of the Bank of Winona, and long-time leader in community, business, and church affairs. He was 65 years old. Mr. Heath died Saturday at the Tyler Holmes Memorial Hospital, where he had been hospitalized for about two years. He had been in declining health since the death of his wife, Sybil Brown Heath, in 1968. A native of Montgomery County, Mr. Heath spent virtually all his adult life in the banking business, and was well-known and respected in area and state financial circles. He began his banking career at the age of 20 as a bookkeeper trainee — at no salary — at the Bank of Duck Hill. Four years later, in 1929, he joined the Bank of Winona, starting an association that was to last until his retirement after his health had failed. Mr. Heath became assistant cashier at the bank in 1939 and in 1943 was elected to its board of directors. In 1945 he was elected vice-president and cashier and then in January, 1953, was named the bank's seventh president. He earned a reputation for be-friending and assisting "the little man" and always prided himself on being available to anyone who wanted to talk with him. His keen sense of humor and genuine interest in people won friends for him in all walks of life. In addition to his leadership in the financial community, Mr. Heath contributed generously of his time to numerous business, civic, and church endeavors. He was a member of the American and Mississippi Bankers Association, serving as a member of the executive committee for the state association. He was a member of the board of directors and the industrial committee of the Chamber of Commerce and several terms as vice president and president. In his dual role as banker-Chamber leader, he had an active part in helping to secure new industry for the Winona area. He was active in the establishment of the Tyler Holmes Hospital and was named chairman of the institution's board of trustees, a position he held until his health failed. Mr. Heath was a member of Winona's First Baptist Church and served as church treasurer for several years. He also was a member of the board of deacons. He was a charter member of the Winona Lions Club and attended meetings regularly until he became ill. He was a longtime member of the Masonic Lodge, serving as its treasurer and was a Shriner. An avid sportsman, his favorite recreation was golfing and he was an active participant in local and area matches. Mr. Heath also served as a member of the board of trustees of Winona city schools, was a charter director of Consolidated American Insurance and was a member of the honorary colonel's staff for Governor J. P. Coleman. Services for Mr. Heath were held at 3 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, Revs. Kermit McGregor and Leo Bailey officiating. Burial was in Oakwood cemetery, with Lee Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Survivors include two children, B. F. Heath. Jr and Mrs. Annice Brown Miller, Boca Raton, Florida: a sister, Mrs. C. S. Carroll, Grenada; three brothers, Harry Heath, Winona; Hampton Heath, Elliott; and Earnest Heath, Duck Hill; and five grandchildren. Pallbearers were Harry Simmons, Floyd Pinkerton, C. E. Strahan, J. L. Shelton, Jimmy Moorman, and James Latham. Honorary pallbearers were members of the bank's board of directors; members of the hospital board of trustees; Dr. L P. Crull; Judge J. P. Coleman; Pete Whitehead and C. A. Wilkins. The Winona Times Winona, MS December 3, 1970

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