Maxine Heard, 98, departed this life November 13, 2020. She was born April 27, 1922, in Brighton, Alabama, to Sherman Shannon Rockwell and Cordie Annie Laurie Jenkins.
A member of the Greatest Generation, she lived through the Great Depression and World War II. Her marriage to Jack Fariss Heard of Camp Hill, AL, a Naval submarine officer, took her and her family many places. From Key West to Isle of Palms to Norfolk, Maxine always made certain the family had a beautiful, joyful home. After Jack’s retirement from the Navy, they relocated to Huntsville, where he worked on the NASA Apollo program until its completion. Maxine and Jack founded Southern Processors, a manufacturer of horticultural products in Cullman, AL; Elliott, MS; and Conway, AR. Maxine served as company Vice President & Treasurer.
Maxine was able to live her final years at home thanks to the care and dedication of her daughter, Jacqueline Maxine Heard. Maxine is survived not only by Jackie, but by Jackie’s daughter Kirsten Patterson (husband William) of Gainesville, FL, and by her great grandchildren Jack and Betsy. She is also survived by daughter Dana Heard Adams (husband James) of Suffolk, VA, and by Dana’s son Jimmy (Hannah) and by his children, Julia and James, IV. She is also survived by Dana’s daughter Shannon Woodward (Thomas) and by her great grandchild Anna Fariss.
A beloved grandmother, “Hanie” will be dearly missed.
