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Helen Frances Heffner, 98, of Mocksville, NC, joined her Lord and Savior in Heaven on Dec. 2, 2023.

She was born on March 25, 1925, the daughter of the late James and Lois Sharpe of Mocksville. Frances was preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, Oren Heffner, and her sister, Elaine Gilbert.

Survivors include: a daughter, Cynthia H. Seymour (Rudy) of Raleigh; 2 sons, David O. Heffner (Michelle) of Raleigh, and Stephen B. Heffner (Janet) of Charlotte; 8 grandchildren; and 9 great-grandchildren.

Frances grew up in Hiddenite, N.C., attended Mitchell Community College and received a BA Degree from Lenoir-Rhyne University.

She and Oren married in 1948 and moved to Mocksville in 1949 to found and operate Heffner’s Land of Food, a six store supermarket chain. Frances and Oren enjoyed living on Park Avenue in the home they built for over 60 years. She loved her neighbors and missed them dearly when the time came to move to Bermuda Village. Frances was a generous, selfless soul, always putting the needs of others ahead of her own, especially those of her family. There is nothing she would not do for her children and grandchildren.

She was passionate about cooking, quilting, gardening and painting. Over the years, she made a quilt for each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Frances greatly enjoyed her time with the Senior Center Quilting Club. Those treasured friendships and quilting sessions gave her many happy hours of chatting and stitching. Frances also loved spending time in the garden with her grandchildren.Cooking for her family was one of the greatest joys in her life. After her children were grown, Frances would help neighborhood children through difficult times. Frances developed a talent for painting and her works proudly hang in the home of every child and grandchild. Frances loved the coast and very much enjoyed taking the grandchildren to Atlantic Beach.

A funeral service will be conducted on Saturday, Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church Mocksville. The family will receive friends at the church at 1.

The family very much appreciates the exceptional ladies who cared for our Mother, including Liz Turner, Laura Barnhardt, Vickie Frye, Kaye Morris, Angie Glass, Amiya Bland, Ashleigh Cooley, Umay Habiba and Pam Davis. A special thanks to Lisa Farnham for four years of love, devotion and caring for Frances as her own. Kim Barron was Frances’ closest friend and they shared a bond and friendship like no other, for which the family is most grateful.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to be made to: First Baptist Church Mocksville, 412 North Main Street, Mocksville, N.C. 27028.