Thomas Sylvester Heath

Augusta, GA---Mr. Thomas Sylvester Heath, 93, entered into rest on Saturday, July 23, 2011 at University Hospital.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 26, 2011, at 10:00 am, in the Platt’s Crawford Avenue Chapel with Dr. Greg DeLoach and Reverend Brian LaFavor officiating. Interment will be private.
Born April 14, 1918 in Augusta, GA to Lillie Williamson Heath and George Burley Heath. He attended Richmond Academy. On June 6, 1941, he married his first grade sweetheart, Doris Elizabeth Bentley. He served in the U.S. Navy, during World War II, as a Gunner’s Mate First Class. The 36 gunner’s that were under him, called him “Pappy”, at 23 years of age, he was the oldest. He served in the Pacific, the South Atlantic and the Mediterranean. His ship was part of the attack on Tenyan and the capture of the Philippine Islands. He retired in 1981 as an Engineer, for the Charleston and West Carolina Railroad, which later became the Atlantic Coastline Railroad.
He was a member of the United Transportation Union, since 1947, a member of the National Railway Historical Society, a member of Airstream “Good Sam” Club, a docent at the Augusta Museum and was a founding member of the Washington Road Volunteer Fire Department. Mr. Heath had been a loyal member of Crawford Avenue Baptist Church, since 1934 and a faithful member of the Jack Brown Sunday School Class.
He was preceded in death by his parents, infant twin brothers, two other brothers, George Richard Heath and Warren Williamson Heath and by his granddaughter in law, Rebekah Besnard Bowers.
Survivors include his wife, Doris Elizabeth Bentley Heath, daughters, Nancy H. Bowers (Dr. Ronald W. Bowers) and Donna H. King, all of Augusta, grandchildren, Ronald William “Bill” Bowers, Jr. (Angie), Amy Elizabeth “Beth” McNally (David), Barton “Bart” Bentley Bowers, Bennett P. R. Bowers, Carter Heath King (April) and Katherine “Katie” Mina King (fiancé, Whit May), great grandchildren, Thomas Heath McNally, John Peyton McNally, Hillyer Brinson Bowers, Sadie Calloway Bowers, Ava Elinor Bowers, Emily Vaughn King and Elizabeth Louise King and great great grandson, Jay Riley McNally and nephews, Hubert “Bert” Hillyer Bentley, Jr. (Becky), Robert “Bobby” Michael Bentley (Cathy) and Brian Woodward Bentley (Heather).

The family will receive friends on Monday, July, 25 2011 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, at Platt’s Crawford Avenue.
If so desired, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 1899 Central Avenue, Augusta, GA 30904.