George L. Heath

George Lewis Heath was born on April 2, 1933, in Aiken, South Carolina, and passed away at his beloved home in Augusta, Georgia on February 6, 2025. Throughout his life, George, who also was known as Lewis, displayed a strong work ethic, dedication to doing his best in all endeavors, a deep faith, and love of his family. 

In his early years, Lewis lived on his family’s farm and, along with his siblings, pitched in to help with the farm’s many chores. When he wasn’t playfully teasing his brothers and sisters, he pulled weeds in the cotton patch and shook dirt off the freshly harvested peanuts before they were set out to dry. Lewis even claimed a farm animal for himself: a white goat became his special pet, coming and going through the back door of the house as it pleased! 

 When George was 16 years old, he received his parents’ permission to enlist in the United States Navy. After basic training in San Diego, California, he served on the USS Salisbury Sound in Okinawa, Japan in addition to his deployment to the Philippines. Upon his return to civilian life, George found that his family had been forced to leave their beloved Hawthorne farm because the land had been claimed by the federal government to build the Savannah River Site (SRS). The Heaths now lived in Register, Georgia. George fulfilled the promise he had made to his parents nearly 4 years earlier by continuing his high school education. He drove the local school bus while completing his final year of high school and graduated from Statesboro High School in 1955.

 George Lewis married his sweetheart, Ann Banks, on August 28, 1955, and they moved to Augusta, Georgia. Soon thereafter George began working as a Mail Carrier for the United States Postal Service, delivering to the Hill area of Augusta. His clients were always impressed with George’s kind manner, superior professionalism and dedication to serving them. When a stray dog followed him day after day on his assigned mail route, he adopted the dog and took Pluto home to be part of the family! During his tenure with the USPS, George was recognized for 30 years of driving his mail truck without any tickets or violations. He may have perfected his driving skills early in life when Grandmother McClain allowed him (and only him) to drive her Model A Ford! 

Over the years the Heaths traveled to Germany, Austria, Hawaii, California, and several other states while visiting their son Stanley, who moved with the United States Army. Following his well-earned retirement from the Post Office after almost 43 years of service, Lewis and Ann spent hours each day working in their yard, always remaining physically active. He took pride in keeping the pine straw raked and the hedges neatly clipped, even caring for his neighbors’ yards when they were unable to do so. Lewis thrived on projects like pouring a cement pathway in the backyard, building a wooden play structure for his grandchildren, or constructing a boat dock with his son, Jimmy. 

For the last 14 years George volunteered weekly for the Savannah River Archeological Research Program (SRARP) where he shared his personal recollections and experiences as a one-time resident of Hawthorne, South Carolina. When walking through land that was originally part of Hawthorne, George could identify the location of his family’s home by finding the many rose bushes his mother planted all those years ago or the long-leaf pine tree that marked the boundary of his family’s farm. He took responsibility and commitment seriously, and rarely missed his volunteer day with SRARP. George was featured in SRARP’s short documentary, “Reconstructing Hawthorne” which received several local awards. The film can be viewed here https://vimeo.com/183063004 

George Lewis Heath is survived by his devoted wife of 69+ years, Ann Banks Heath, and their son, Jimmy Lewis Heath (Angie). He was heart-broken by the untimely death of his younger son Stanley Neal Heath (Amie) in 2022. Adoring grandchildren are Lauren Heath (Jesse), Jordan Heath (Ari), Keirsten Heath Tarpley (John Aaron), and Timothy Heath (Krista), as well as three precious great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. 

Lewis showed a strong interest in family history and genealogy, often sharing stories about his late parents, James Earl Heath, Sr. and Phrontis McClain Heath. Throughout his life, he enjoyed spending time with his siblings and did so quite often: Betty Heath Dye (Harold, deceased); the late James Earl Heath, Jr. (Jackie); the late Daniel Martin Heath (Glenda); Mildred Heath Boswell; and the late Earlene Heath Bennett (Bobby). 

Whether you knew him as George, Lewis, Daddy, Granddaddy, or Mr. Heath, you interacted with a modest, down-to-earth gentleman who worked with his hands his entire life, from farming to delivering mail, to caring for his home and beautiful yard. George Lewis Heath lived 91+ years with integrity, honor, and respect, admired by those who knew him, and deeply loved by his family. 

Donations in George Lewis’ honor may be made to the Savannah River Archeological Research Program (SRARP), the organization for which George volunteered and about which he was deeply connected. SRARP - SC Institute for Archaeology and Anthropology | University of South Carolina

 Funeral service will take place on Saturday, February 15, 2025 at 11:00am. George Lewis’ family will receive friends prior to the service from 10:00am - 11:00am. Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Road, Augusta, Georgia 30907. (706)364-8484. 

 Rev. Dr. Kenneth Word will officiate and interment will follow in Westover Memorial Park in Augusta. Pallbearers will be Jordan Heath, Timothy Heath, Paul Dye, Rodney Dye, Tony Hauff, and Pat Arthur. Honorary pallbearers include Keith Stephenson and Buddy Wingard. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com