Oren Judson Heffner

Published 11:01 am Friday, August 16, 2019

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Oren Judson Heffner, 94, of Mocksville, died on Aug. 13, 2019.

He was the son of the late Claude and Grace Heffner of Maiden.

Surviving: his wife of 71 years, Helen Frances Heffner; and 3 children, sons, David O. Heffner (Michelle) of Raleigh,  and Stephen B. Heffner (Janet) of Charlotte; daughter, Cynthia H. Seymour (Rudy) of Raleigh; 9 grandchildren, Kristen H. Smith (Ben), Bill Seymour (Carly), Greg Seymour (Caroline), Katherine S. Dysart (Garrett), Elizabeth Heffner, Lauren Heffner, Katherine Heffner and Sarah Heffner; 6 great-grandchildren, Buxton Smith, Elin Smith, Nolin Smith, Fallon Seymour, Abigail Dysart and Claire Seymour.

He was also preceded in death by his brothers: Donnie Heffner, Nelson Heffner, and Phil Heffner; and sisters, Elaine Heffner, Frieda Heffner Williams and Flora Heffner Arrowood.

Mr. Heffner was born in Maiden on Jan. 17, 1925 and was a graduate of Maiden High School. During World War II, he served his country in the Air Force from 1943-1946. He also attended Auburn University. Mr. Heffner married Helen Frances Sharpe in March of 1948. Mr. Heffner founded and operated Heffner’s Land of Food supermarkets in Mocksville, Yadkinville, Lexington, Clemmons and Lewisville from 1949-1981. Mr. Heffner served as director of the N.C. Food Dealers Association and was appointed by Gov. James E. Holshouser in 1974 to the N.C. Milk Commission serving for two terms. Following the sale of the supermarkets to Food Town (now Food Lion) in 1981, he became a founding partner in Dalcor Management, a Lexington real estate development company.

Mr. Heffner was a faithful member of First Baptist Church Mocksville where he served as deacon, superintendent of Sunday school and taught the Harold Benson Sunday School class for nearly 60 consecutive years. He was a member and former president of the Mocksville Rotary Club and a tennis player. Mr. Heffner will be remembered for his unwavering devotion to his Lord, family and community. He will be greatly missed by his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren who admired, loved and respected him.

A funeral service will be conducted on Saturday, Aug. 17, at 3 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Mocksville with Dr. Van Lankford officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior in the fellowship hall of the church.

Memorials: First Baptist of Mocksville, 412 N. Main St.

Condolences: www.eatonfuneralservice.com.