J. T. Morriss & Son Funeral Homes

Hevener, Raymond E.

Thursday, November 30, 2006

Raymond E. Hevener, Sr., age 69, of Chester, VA died on November 30, 2006. He was born in Washington D.C. He was the owner & operator of Hevener’s Tire and Automotive in Chester. He served the Chesterfield Quarterback League, was a Chesterfield Volunteer recipient and Rotary international Paul Harris award recipient. He is survived by his wife, Thelma Williams Hevener; three sons, Ray Hevener, Jr. and wife Jodi of Chester, Steve Hevener and fiancé Jamele Pope of Richmond, VA; Mike Hevener and wife Candi of Chesterfield, VA; daughter-in-law, Donna Fox and husband David; eleven grandchildren, Christi, Kati, Gia, Amber, Donnie, Kris, Taylor, Courtney, Kayla, Kara and Rachael; parents, Inez J. Thurston and the late Ralph H. Thurston, Sr., Peggy Hevener and the late Rozwell L. Hevener; one sister, Sandra Hevener of Berkley Springs, WV; brothers, Ralph Thurston, Jr. and wife Mary of Chesterfield, VA and Rudy Thurston and wife Nancy of Chesterfield; numerous nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends at the Chesterfield chapel of J.T. Morriss and Son Funeral Home and Cremation Service on Monday, December 4, 2006 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. A memorial service will follow on Tuesday, December 5, 2006, 11 a.m. at Southside Baptist Church, Richmond, VA. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial contributions be made to Southside Baptist Church, 6000 Ironbridge Rd., Richmond, VA 23234 or the American Heart Association. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com

Ray & Stevie: I just heard of your dad's passing and wanted to extend my condolences. I am sorry for your loss and hope you will be comforted by happy memories.

Posted by: Brenda Andrs at December 14, 2006 01:30 PM

To the Hevener family
We didn't know Mr. Hevener but the love and respect he had was shown by all the friends that came to the funeral home Monday night.What a wonderful memory to have knowing how many people cared for him and his family.We are sorry for your loss but we hope you can have peace knowing he is having a great time in heaven being with those that have gone on before him.
To Ray,Jodi,Christi,Kati,Donnie,Courtney and Rachael
We love you.
Bobby & Rita

Posted by: Bobby & Rita Harding at December 10, 2006 05:51 AM

To the Heavener Family: I will miss the lenghtly talks Ray and I had about the old times in the mountains. I will miss Ray a lot. He meant a lot to his many friends.

Posted by: Odell Jackson at December 6, 2006 08:14 PM

My deepest sympathy to the Hevnor family. Another great man of Chester is gone but will always be remembered for the contributions he made to the community.

Posted by: Dr. Taylor Lyne at December 6, 2006 02:20 PM

Thelma: I only knew Raymond from the Hospital C/JW. We had a lot of laughs together. I enjoyed our talks, both you and Raymond. I will miss the sound of his laughter and stories. I just learned of his death today at Re-Hab. My prayers are with you and your family.

Posted by: Ralph Vernon at December 5, 2006 05:58 PM

Don and I would like to express our deepest sympathy to the Hevener Family. The world is really going to miss this man because he had a great sense of business as well as being a great person with a good sense of humor. Just know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. May God bless all of you and keep you in his care always.

Posted by: Don & Sue Conner at December 4, 2006 04:32 PM

I only met Mr. Hevener once, this past June, after my banged-up used car failed inspection at its dealer. I was recommended to Hevener's by my fitness trainer who entrusts his BMW to Hevener for all its work. Not only did my vehicle pass inspection, one of the sons pointed out a tire that would soon need to be replaced. He also mentioned they didn't have that model in stock at the moment, so clearly he wasn't trying to make extra money off me. I was so impressed, I made a point of speaking to Mr. Hevener, to thank him for running a business based on honesty and integrity. Even though it was near their break-time for lunch, he very generously shared his story and his values with me. He told me how proud he was of his boys, and that he believed, if a customer is treated fairly, and with respect and courtesy, there'll be no shortage of business. What a legacy to pass on! In my prayers for this family whom I really don't know, I'm asking that their grief be accompanied with gratitude for a unique man whom I'll never forget. Someone once said, "Preach the gospel--use words if necessary." Mr. Hevener, your actions spoke louder than any words to me that day, and I look forward to meeting you again!
(Rev.) Craig Buxton
Midlothian, VA

Posted by: Rev. Craig Buxton at December 4, 2006 12:52 PM

To Thelma & the Hevener family:
It was a pleasure to have known Raymond, & on several different levels - business & personal. He possessed one of the sharpest minds & best memories of anyone I've known. He will be missed by us all. My thoughts are with you & may God bless!

Posted by: Dan Bredel at December 3, 2006 10:23 PM

Raymond Hevener was my only brother, my only sibling and the only person I knew like him. Impassioned is the word that best describes him to me. His family, his community, his God and his business were his motivation in life. Few have make the impact on others that Raymond has - Life will be different for Thelma and the her sons but Raymond will live in every thought. We are all blessed to have had him.

Posted by: Sandy Hevener at December 3, 2006 05:32 PM

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. What a great guy Raymond was. Larry and I have both known him all of our lives. Raymond was one of the most cheerful people I have ever known.

Nancy Spencer Primm

Posted by: Larry & Nancy Spencer Primm at December 2, 2006 09:03 PM

Ray was one of the first business people I met in 1973 when I became a member of the Chesterfield County Police Department. Hevener's Exxon was a location known well by the Officers who worked the Pike.

He was a fine man and a good friend to all of us who worked the street. He was a good friend to Chesterfield County and kept many a police vehicle operational when the County Garage was closed.

God bless you Ray and may you rest in peace after a life well lived. I will always remember you as a friend.

Ralph Bartley

Posted by: Ralph & Katherine Bartley at December 2, 2006 11:40 AM

Thelma and Family--My sincere sympathy to all of you. I feel as though I have lost another brother. Raymond was like a brother to me when we were growing up. He always protected me and made sure I was going in the right direction. I will always love him. The Lord has a great man by his side.

Posted by: Faye Chalkley at December 2, 2006 10:52 AM