We Miss You Papa

Below You Will Find Joanna's Papa's Orbit And The Letters That I Have Written My Dad Since He Has Left Us Here On Earth! Jojo Misses Him More Than He Could Ever Imagine. The Picture Above Way Taken About A Month Beofre He Passed. He Was Never A Sick Man. Always Hard Working, Smiling & Ready To Play With His Grandkids. He Passed From A Massive Heart Attack Out Of No Where. The Family Is Still In Great Shock. They Say Everyday Will Get Better!!! I Think You Just Learn To Deal With It!

James H. "Jimmy" Heath, IV

Former Isle of Wight County resident, James Henry Heath IV, 61, went to be with the Lord on Monday, September 1, 2008, very unexpectedly.

Jimmy was born on March 11, 1947 in Pitt County, NC to James Heath III and Mary Heath. He graduated from Hampton High School in 1967. He married his high school sweetheart, Della Mae Mitchell on August 12, 1967, in Newport News, VA.

After being drafted in the Army and served his time in Vietnam, he was employed by Davis Boat Works for 28 years, retiring in 2004. Jimmy had finally followed his dream and moved to Smithfield to enjoy land. He loved working in his yard and garden. He was a hard working spouse, father, grand paw and good friend of many, who will be missed very much.

He is survived by his wife, Della Heath; mother, Mary Heath; sisters, Sharon, Donna, and Ruth Ellen; son and daughter-in-law James and Angela Heath; daughter and son-in-law Lorie and Joe Sibert. He also left behind the apples of his eyes, his grandchildren Tyler, Brittany, Faith, and Joanna.

Mr. Heath was preceded in death by his father, James H. Heath, III, and brothers, Donnie Heath and Richard Heath.

The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 P.M. on Thursday, September 4, 2008, at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home. Services will be held on Friday, September 5, 2008 at 1:00 P.M., at the funeral home chapel. Following the service, friends are encouraged to call on the family at his son's home in Hampton.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Jimmy Heath may be made to Make a Wish Foundation of Eastern Va., 240 Business Park Drive, Ste. 100, Virginia Beach, VA 23462

My Letter To My Dad (written Sept 2, 2008)

Dad I cant even begin to tell you how much I miss you! I sit here at 11:30 at night after a long day and its just me, mom and the girls......theres a big void here that just cant be replaced. Your smile and your laugh were priceless. I sit here and think and think of a good reason that it was your time to go and I just cant come up with anything that might comfort my heart. All I know is god was calling you. You must have been needed there for some big plans. Bigger plans that were ever being planned here. Maybe they needed your strenght and laughter in heaven daddy. Just when I thought nothing else could go wrong in my life, I loose you. My daddy. You may not be here but your soul is right here with me. I will always be daddy's little girl till the day I die. I am blessed to have that brief moment with you before you saw the light to tell you I love you and to hear it back. Thats the ONLY thing that gives me comfort. If I knew what was gonna happen dad I would have told you how much I loved you, how you kept me strong, how much I appreciated EVERYTHING you have done for me and my girls. You were the best dad & grandpa I could have ever ask for. Brittany, Faith & Jojo miss you so much Daddy. I dont know whats worse hearing Brittany say how bad she wants you to see her in her new glasses or hearing Jojo ask if I was going to see you. Poor little Red standing strong in the wings without saying a word. I am so thankful that they got to spend the entire summer with you. From splashing around in that hot tub with you to chasing lizards and frogs around the back yards. Those our memories they will cherish for a lifetime. We have all sat and talked about all the fun times with you Daddy. Trying are hardest to keep Momma spirits up. Their is no consoling her. You are her life, she knows nothing else after 45 years but YOU!! Daddy I couldnt promise much in life but I can promise you this. Me and Jimmy will take good care of Momma. Rest In Peace Daddy and enjoy being with god. One day we will all see you again and I cant wait to see your smiling face as I cross through the pearly gates. I LOVE YOU DADDY!!! Good night. xoxo

Written March 1, 2009

Hey Daddy! Wow today has been six months since you left us and it feels like yesterday!!! I  miss you so much words just cant explain. Ive done my best to do everything possible that you'd want me to do. Ive tried so hard to make you proud of me. I finally moved out the 1st of January. Not only for my sanity but for mom, for the girls, for us.....Things have changed sooo much Dad you just wouldn't believe it. Mom struggles everyday to move on with life without you just like I do but in a total different way! You were her life, her soul mate, her HERO!! She misses you beyond belief. Me and Jimmy try to tell her everyday that she has to smile and try and take baby steps thru the new door of her life. She just doesn't want to do it without you. I try my hardest to comfort her but theres just nothing I can say or do for her to make her feel even a smidge bit better other than the fact that you just wouldn't want to see her like this. This past week the Dr found a lump in her breast and she is worrying herself sick. I think its not even the fact that it could be something bad, I think its just because your not here to hold her hand. If you could just please reach down and touch her and let her know that no matter what tomorrow brings we are her with her. Losing you was the worst thing I think I have been thru and I just cant imagine going thru that again. If I could turn back time GOD I would have done things so different, but we cant. The last thing I heard you say was that you loved me and for LIFE I will never ever stop hearing that!!! I sit her today again rereading my letter to you as if it was the day of your funeral. The way I feel will never change. Your grand babies miss you Dad ALOT. Jojo talks about you so much. I guess being little and just not understanding why you aren't here. She often draws pictures of you in a coffin for us. I have yet to figure that one out. She never saw you in there, but I think she just knew you were. I just dont know. All I do know is today you missed more than you were yesterday and we love you very very much! If I could come to heaven just for a few minutes to see you I would show you just how much you are missed, but Daddy I have to stay here and keep things going. Raise these 3 baby girls, make you proud and keep Moms pretty little head up! Until next time xoxo. I love you dearly!

March 11, 2009

Hey Daddy! Happy Happy Birthday To You!!! Today is so hard. You not here. People keep telling me this will get easier and I just find that so hard to believe. Im having Mom and Jimmy over tonight for dinner for your birthday! Missing the most important thing tho. YOU! Can you hurry home please....Oh yea thats right you are home. A better place than this could ever be I am sure. The girls send you lots of love for your birthday and of course always. Jojo always ask about you, Brit crys and well Little Red she just stays real quiet about it. She misses you lots tho. I go thru today remembering your laugh, your jokes, your smart comments and your wonderful smile! I am blessed to have had a Dad as wonderful as you to spend 31 years with. You couldn't have done or given anything more than you did, well wait expect maybe not such a hard time, But hey thats whats made me who I am today! One Tough Cookie....Been through more than I thought I could ever make it through I guess. Sometimes I often wonder Dad. Yesterday someone said something to me that made alot of sense and reminded me of something you mite say "Tough Times Dont Last But Tough People Do!" Im trying to mustard up the Heath blood in me and stick this out just like I have every other thing god has sent my way!!! You taught me well Daddy! You taught me respect, kindness, HARD working and most importantly never give up. Heath's always keep their heads up. Do me a favor and just nudge mine up alittle and push me along the way! I love you and miss you much!

Click Picture Below To Be Directed To His Guestbook On www.mem.com. Feel Free To Leave A Message There If You Would Like!

Grandma & Papa Heath

A Couple Tattoo's I Have That Mean The World To Me, Even Though My Dad Hated Tattoos!!!