Rev. Frederick Neil Heller

Rev. Neil Heller

  Rev. Fredrick “Neil” Heller of Woodruff, SC, left his temporary home here to enter eternity with his beloved Lord on September 15. Born eighty-one years ago to Fred and Grace Heller, Neil loved the outdoors and told many stories about growing up in Florida, including learning to ski rather quickly when finding out he was sitting in alligator infested waters. He graduated from Moody Bible Institute, where he met his cherished wife of 60 years, Cora Lieu Hicks. Music was an outlet as Neil played the guitar and drums, passing on that appreciation of song to his children and grandchildren. Neil worked as a police officer as well as for IBM during the exciting Space Race Era. His favorite job, and the one in which he would spend twenty-nine years, was being a pastor. Pastoring wasn’t really a “job” to Neil, whose love for Christ overflowed into his interactions with every person he met. Being a pastor was who he was because loving Christ was what he did. Although he retired from Calvary Baptist Church of Lyman, he never ceased to care for those around him, giving hugs and smiles to everyone regardless of their situation in life. There are so many wonderful stories we could tell, but his legacy will be his kindness, concern, and compassion to a world he wanted to win for Jesus.

  He is survived by his wife, Cora, daughters Cindi (Chris) Taylor and Kim (Steve) Brownsberger, as well as by son Tim (Brittani) Heller. He is now praising the Lord with daughter Lois McTeer, sisters Judy and Debbie, brother Paul, and his parents.

  He leaves behind many grandchildren and great-grandchildren including Autumn & Josh Johnston (Ryken, Talen, Benaiah), Micah & Jessica Taylor (Coen, Grace, Eisley), Hannah & Adam Russell (Eliza, Charlotte), Emily & Austin Hinkle (Beckham), Matthew & Lori Hart, Seth & Heather Sauer-Hart (Dorian), Mary & Paul Holland (Faye, Maeve), Joshua Connor McTeer, Gavin McTeer, Jack Heller, and Jovie Heller.

  There will be a private family graveside service. The family is at their respective homes.

  In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to West End Baptist Church, 1031 West Georgia Road, Woodruff, S.C. 29388

Lanford-Gwinn Mortuary