Asbury Latimer Heard, Jr.

Asbury Latimer ¨Lat¨ Heard, Jr., died on December 25, 2023 after a fierce seven year battle with prostate cancer. He was surrounded by loved ones when he went to be with his Savior. He was born in Atlanta on December 19th, 1951. He grew up in Elberton, Ga, and was the son of Asbury Latimer Heard, Sr. of Elberton, GA,  and Mary Estelle Perkins Heard originally of Lumpkin County, Ga. He received his undergraduate degree in Finance from Emory University and a minor in art history. His Masters degree in Business Management was from the University of Georgia. He was trained by and worked for C&S Bank as a lender for many years, and its successive banks as C&S was bought out. He loved and admired his bank colleagues. In his later years he enjoyed ministering with his wife, Linda Axt Heard, teaching ESL, teaching newly-wed Bible studies, and conducted financial counseling for those that needed it. He was an active member of Watkinsville First Baptist Church for many years and treasured the friendships he made there. He was an avid and successful golfer, bluegrass musician with the Hog Mountain Boys , and connoisseur of corny dad jokes. He loved trips to his beloved family cabin in the North Georgia mountains, where we say heaven and earth meet. His visits to the cabin were formative to his healing and spiritual foundation when he came to know the Lord. Many friends and family have enjoyed trips with Latimer, including annual family reunions and his sacred February men’s trip. He so looked forward to his annual trip with his cold weather crew and his spring fishing  trip with successive generations of men and boys. 

We have been surrounded by love, support, meals, and encouraging notes during his treatments, but particularly when he was placed on hospice in the beginning of November 2023. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, and his in-laws. He  is survived by his beloved wife of 40 years, Linda Axt Heard; daughter Anna Kathryn Heard-Olguin of Watkinsville, Ga; son-in-law Rolando Moises Olguin of Watkinsville, Ga; sister Estelle Heard Zeiler of Middleburg, Va; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Rick and Jackie Axt of Estill Springs, Tn; cousin Peggy Heard Galis of Athens, Ga; niece Telle Zeiler of Seattle, Washington; nephew Jay Zeiler, Jr of Washington D.C.; nephew Richard Axt III (Kara Axt) of Estill Springs, Tn; niece Lauren Taylor Axt Hunter of Estill Springs, Tn; and four great nieces and nephews. 

Latimer will be buried in Elmhurst Cemetery of Elberton, Georgia, in a private ceremony. His memorial service will be held on Thursday January 4th at 2 P.M. At the Watkinsville First Baptist Church chapel to be live streamed on Lord and Stephen’s West Facebook page. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of these three groups :

⁃ Rachel E Tingle Memorial Scholarship at Westminster Christian Academy. Checks can be mailed to Westminster Christian Academy with the scholarship on the memo/for line. The mailing address is: 1640 New High Shoals Road, Watkinsville, Ga. 30677 

⁃ Watkinsville First Baptist Church for their building or missions fund. https://www.watkinsville.org/give

⁃ Betty’s Creek Baptist Church of Rabun Gap, where he was helped to solidify his spiritual foundation. Checks can be mailed to 221 Grindstone Creek Drive Clarksville, Ga. 30523, C/O Pastor Don Samples

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, WEST, Watkinsville, GA is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com