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Bennie Jean Heard passed away on Tuesday night at Cleveland clinic Indian River Hospital on January 20, 2026. She was born to the late Hattie M Ross. And the late Bennie Wiliams on September 29, 1943, in Gulfport Mississippi. She was the third child of seven siblings. She was reared by her uncle and aunt the late Sim Topsy Heard And the late Beatrice Heard (With loving care) In Gifford Florida. She attended Gifford elementary and Gifford high school she was a majorette in the Gifford high school band. She was a former Member of the church of power, praise and deliverance under the leadership of the late Mary K. Brisbane in Orlando, Florida. She attended Saint Peter ‘s Missionary Baptist Church and other churches in the surrounding areas of Gifford Florida. She was previously employed in the early 1970s with the Indian River County school system as a bus driver She worked for Stone Brothers funeral home for 25 years. She was a certified nursing assistant for many years. And she worked with the Indian River County Queens pageant amongst other jobs capacities. She had a love for Helping the sick.
Left to cherish her memories, one son, Donald O. Carter of (Gifford Fla. three daughters Annette, Bennett of (Orlando, Florida) Jeannie Harris (Sean) of Gifford, Fla. Donna M. Bristol (Syvester) Of Lithonia, Georgia
Siblings; #1 brother James Ross two sisters: Shirley Letts and Hattie R Ross, all of Moss point Mississippi.
12 Grandchildren, one proceeded in death Syvester Bristol Jr. 17. Great grands, and two great great grands one goddaughter. Asia Biddings of Sanford, Florida
And a host of nieces, nephew, cousins and sorrowing friends, and one childhood friend Betty Newton Smith.
VIEWING
Friday, February 20,2026
5:00-7:00 PM
St. Peter's Missionary Baptist Church
4250 38th Avenue
Gifford, Florida 32967
CELEBRATION OF LIFE
Saturday, February 21, 2026
11:00 AM
St. Peter's Missionary Baptist Church
Gifford, Florida 32967
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