Altar Ree Heater

Altar Ree (Marie) Heater entered with Jesus into eternal peace on Friday, July 31, 2026, with her family by her side at the age of 91 years old. Her many friends affectionally called her “Marie,” but her family called her Ree. Ree was born on April 4, 1935, to her loving parents, Jesse Burton Hatchett and Dellar Mae Reed Hatchett, who have proceeded her in death. She became a Christian at an early age while attending the Icy Sink Baptist Church which was then a little one-room schoolhouse for grades one through eight and a Church. From there she attended the State Street High School. Ree was formerly married to the late Hugh Heater, Jr., and to that union six children were born. Also, from that union Ree joined the Eleventh Street Missionary Baptist Church, where she faithfully worshipped God and tirelessly served others. Ree enjoyed all things related to the Eleventh Street Baptist Church, especially in the Kitchen, where she served as the Kitchen President for many years. Earlier this year, she was awarded the honor of President Emeritus of the Kitchen ministry. She loved and served as the Pastor’s Aide President for several years and in 2025 she received a special Certificate of Recognition for her outstanding services shown toward her Pastor and his family. She served as the Willing Workers-Treasurer, attended Sunday School, sang in the Senior Choir having a soft soprano voice, and annually participated in the Four Seasons Tea as well as Old Fashion Day. Ree was also a member of the Evening Star-Chapter 126, since 1970 and Past Matron. Ree was a woman of great determination, diligently supporting her household through public work at Holley Carburetor, Domestic Housekeeper, Golden Branding Iron, WKU President’s Home, and the WKU Faculty House. Ree enjoyed welcoming family, friends, and strangers to her dining table. Through the years, many college students would stop by her home just to get a delicious home-cooked meal. Just seeing her yellow cake with caramel or chocolate icing would make your mouth water. She loved cooking, canning, fishing, gardening, and chatting with her friends on the telephone. Ree is survived by her “Birds” as she affectionally called her children: Verdell Faye Page-Bowling Green, KY, Ronald Louis (Rev. Dr. Roberta) Heater-Stockbridge, GA, Pastor Hugh Burton (Cathy) Heater-Bowling Green, KY, Chikeeta Denise (Larry) Numa-Atoka, TN, Verlon Calvin (Vickye) Heater-Bowling Green, KY, and Michelle Ree Heater-Bowling Green, KY. Stepchildren: Patricia Heater Harris-Conyers, GA, Larry Ford (extended family)-McDonough, GA, Michael Heater-Glasgow, KY and Terry Heater (deceased). Her Loving Grandchildren: Latosha, Nathaniel, Jr. (Nash), Brittnie, Ashley, and Brandon. Step-grandchildren: Charity Heater, Danny Heater, Larry Numa, Jr., Claude (Sanae) Numa, Monique (Tracy) Numa. Also, her loving Great Grandchildren: Adrianna, Aaron, Kaylen, Kiani, Khalil, and Roman. Her caring brothers and sisters: Jesse Bell Rice, Joe Hatchett (deceased) (Lois Jean), Earl Hatchett, Lizzie Mae (Charles) Satterfield, Russell Hatchett, Patricia Hatchett, Donnie (Jo Nell) Hatchett, Deborah Hatchett, and David Hatchett. Godchildren: Cindy Blackwell, Rev. Carlos Whitfield, KaTrinia Broyles, and LaQuinta Broyles. Finally, she leaves to mourn a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and loving friends. Sincerely, -Your friends at Burnam and Son Mortuary, Inc.

Altar Ree Heater

April 4, 1935 - July 31, 2026

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Altar Ree Heater

April 4, 1935 - July 31, 2026

365 Days of Grief Support

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