Althea Heard

Althea Ortman Heard (Thea), born September 13, 1924, Cotter, Arkansas died in Austin, Texas on January 17, 2012. She was preceded in death by her parents Rubye and Frank Ortman and her son Mark. Thea is survived by her husband, Charles, her children, Lynne H. Williams (husband John), Stephen Ortman Heard, and David Frank Heard (wife Martha Adams), grandchildren, Blaine Williams and Elizabeth W. Crawley (husband Rob), Kelly and Mark Heard, Rachel and Alex Adams-Heard, sister, Anita Becker (and Anita?s family).


Thea, a talented musician, student and popular campus beauty, graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a B.A. in music education. She was a member of Chi Omega sorority, Sigma Alpha Iota music fraternity and the Choral Club. It was at O.U. that Thea met Charles, the love of her life. They married June 23, 1946 in Cotter, Arkansas, and spent over 65 wonderful years together raising a family, putting down roots and making many friends in each city where they lived. Their love for each other, dedication to family, and enjoyment of life inspired all who have known them.

After retirement Thea and Charlie moved to Bull Shoals, Arkansas where Thea was active in her church as volunteer choir director for ten years, a hospital board member and a tireless volunteer in her community. Thea and Charlie enjoyed their retirement years immensely including extensive travel, boating adventures on Lake Bull Shoals and plenty of quality time with family and friends. They moved to Austin in 2003 where Thea?s zest for life enabled her to quickly become an avid Austinite. She was active in University United Methodist Church (UUMC).


A graveside service will be held to celebrate Thea?s well lived life on Sunday, July 1, at 3:00 p.m. at Walnut Hill Cemetery in Cotter, Arkansas. All friends and family are invited to attend the service and the reception at Gaston?s following the service.