Arneda Heath, of Tuscumbia died at her home on March 28, 2025.
She is survived by her children Selena Heath Miller, husband Phillip Barber; Bill Heath, wife Kecia Heath; grandchildren Felicia Greaves, husband Nicholas and Cade Heath.
She is preceded in death by her husband Jim Heath; parents, Sam P. Hall, Sr and Arietta Nichols Hall; brothers Sam P. Hall, Jr, and Bobby Hall.
Arneda grew up in Decatur, Alabama. She met her future husband while working at Boeing Corporation in Huntsville. After marrying they lived in Decatur a short time and then moved to Athens. While raising two young children, she made time to attend Athens State College and obtain her degree in social work with a focus in geriatrics. This led her to serve as the director for Athens Limestone Senior Citizens Center.
In 1979, the family moved to the Shoals area when Jim took a position at First Colbert Bank, now Bank Independent. Arneda spent the first couple of years driving back and forth to Athens until she found a career where she felt she could make an impact on people in her new community. And she did just that. A group of highly committed people had been working hard writing grants and setting the groundwork for what would become Safeplace, the first domestic violence center in Northwest Alabama. Once they had everything established, they hired Arneda as executive director.
She spent 25 years working in this role. With the help of a dedicated staff, volunteers, her family and the Shoals community; Safeplace, Inc. flourished and reached into 7 counties providing shelter, counseling and most other services needed to help those affected by domestic violence.
Her philosophy for life was that God put us on this earth to be of service to others and he gives us all the strength and guidance to do that if we choose to live a life that matters. She believed her gift was seeing things that others do not see and being able to connect people to others that could help them on their journey.
Visitation will be 1:00 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. Friday, April 4, 2025, at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, 1900 Darby Drive, Florence, AL 35630; service following at 2:30 pm in the church sanctuary.
The family expresses sincere thanks and gratitude to Affinity Hospice, and most important, her longtime caregiver, Lonita.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Safeplace Foundation, Inc. and St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church.
Colbert Memorial Chapel of Tuscumbia is directing.
