Debra Heard Lloyd

Debra Lynn Heard Lloyd (January 4, 1958-January 15, 2014) was born and raised in Huntsville, AL as the third child of four to her NASA engineer father, William Bryan Heard (1922-2012) and her high school English teacher mother, Janette Welch Heard (1928) (m. 1947). After graduating with honors from Samford University (1980) she married Richard Raymond Lloyd III. Both attended The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where she received the Master of Divinity in Religious Education (1983) and the Doctor of Education (1990) degrees. She did further study at the University of Louisville, the University of Kentucky, and Lincoln Memorial University. She and Rich are proud parents to Richard Raymond "Logan" Lloyd IV (1987) (m. Claire Dorris 2012), Kelsey Lee Lloyd (1991), and William Jordan Lloyd (1994). She is preceded in death by her father; her two older brothers, Samuel Bryan Heard (1948-2006) and Michael Alan Heard (1954-2006); and two sisters-in-law, Carol Allen Heard (1950-2011) and Linda Lee Lloyd (1961-1983). She is survived by her husband, mother, children, and brother Kenneth Edgar (1960); in-laws Richard Raymond Lloyd Jr. (1929) and Gretta Virginia Johnson Lloyd (1929) (m. 1953); sisters-in-law Valerie Broom Heard (1957) and Vicky May Lloyd Redfearn (1960) (m. Joe 1989); nieces and nephews Rachel Ann Redfearn (1991), Jacob Michael Redfearn (1992), Joseph Evan Redfearn (1996), Elizabeth Francis Heard Poster (1981) (m. Toby 2007), Rachael Lauren Heard (1982), Christina Marie Heard Frohman (1979) (m. Russ 2010), Amanda Michele Heard Unkefer (1986) (m. Danny 2008); grandnephew Bishop Heard (2005); and a host of dear friends. Debbie served four churches as Minister of Education and Youth, including the First Baptist Church, Huntsville, AL, the Parkway Baptist Church, Lexington, KY, and the Upton Baptist Church, Upton, KY. She was an author, speaker to women's groups, Kentucky State Fair Blue Ribbon cross-stitch winner, Kentucky Colonel, swim coach, and member of the GKAISA Hall of Fame. "Dr. Debbie" was an educator at various levels in the public schools and churches with a passion for teaching young children and their families. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church, Newport, the East Tennessee Via de Cristo movement and taught as an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Religion at Carson-Newman University. The family will receive friends from 1-3 pm and 5-8 pm, Friday January 17, 2014 at First Baptist Church, Newport. A worship service celebrating the resurrection of Jesus the Christ and Debbie's life will be at 2 pm Saturday, January 18, 2014 at First Baptist Church, Newport. The burial will be private. The family would like to thank the many care-givers, especially Amy Pitts, Chelsea Wylie, and LuAnn Grant, and the congregation of the First Baptist Church, Newport for their great love, compassion and care, and for living the words "Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow!" All alumni and current members of the Cocke County High School swim team and NCC Rapids swim team are invited to serve as honorary pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, one may contribute to the Debbie Heard Lloyd Memorial Swim Scholarship through the Cocke County Education Foundation. Donations may be sent in care of the Cocke County Education Foundation, 305 Hedrick Drive, Newport, TN 37821. Family and friends may sign the guest register on line at: www.manesfuneralhome.com. Manes Funeral Home in charge.

Debra Heard Lloyd

January 4, 1958 - January 15, 2014