Edith "Cookie" Marie (Kearney) Heard

Edith “Cookie” Marie Kearney Heard entered eternal rest on February 6, 2025, at the age of 83. Cookie was born in Williamsburg, Virginia, on October 26, 1941, to the late Thomas and Hattie Kearney. She was preceded in death by her husband Earnest Edward Heard Jr., and brothers, William Thomas Kearney and Norman Paul Kearney.

Cookie leaves behind a legacy of love and devotion, remembered fondly by her six children, Eric Heard (Valencia), William Riley III (Delcenia), Denise Weber, Shelia Heard, Earnestine Heard, and Debra Harris (Gavin Sr.). She was the proud grandmother of thirteen grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Joyce Wynn and sister-in-law Maryann Howard. Cookie will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and community.

A dedicated professional, Cookie was among the first Black employees in Colonial Williamsburg’s accounting office, where she worked as a night auditor and supervisor. She was also a trailblazer in labor activism and instrumental in establishing the Colonial Williamsburg Food and Beverage Workers Union in the late 1960s. After its merger with the H.E.R.E. International Union Local 32, she confidently took on the role of vice president, where she vigorously championed workers' rights, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to their cause.

Cookie’s passion for education and self-improvement led her to pursue a college degree at the age of 44. She earned her Bachelor’s in History with a minor in Secondary Education from Christopher Newport University in 1989. She later went on to student-teach in Guadalajara, Mexico, before returning home to host Mexican foreign exchange students and work as a substitute teacher.

Her deep love for African American history and community led her to participate actively in local initiatives, such as the Lemon Project at William & Mary, where she worked to strengthen relationships between the university and the African American community. There, she played an intricate role in launching the oral history project, contributed thoughtfully to the course that culminated in creating the Hearth: Memorial to the Enslaved, and regularly shared her perspectives as a speaker in Lemon Project classes, enhancing the educational environment for all involved.  Cookie also served on The Local Black Histories Project Descendant Advisory Board appointed by the Village Initiative Descendant, where she was invited to a community forum to share her reflections on the experiences of integration and its lasting effects.

Above all, Cookie cherished her family. She instilled in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren the belief that greatness lived within them, encouraging them to reach their highest potential. Her grandchildren will always reflect on and carry forward Cookie’s emphasis on the importance of education, remembering the “pop-up school visits” she made to inspire them and remind them of their potential and, most importantly, hold the teachers accountable for doing their jobs effectively. Her great-grandchildren will cherish the delightful mini-vacations they shared, filled with adventure and discovery. They will fondly remember the joyful rides in her vibrant Candy Apple Red Dodge Magnum, a car that embodied her spirited personality. The laughter-filled conversations, marked by her unique and eccentric humor, will remain etched in their hearts, reminding them of the warmth and love she radiated.

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Cookie will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at Williamsburg Community Chapel. 

Professional services have been entrusted to the staff of Whiting's Funeral Home, 7005 Pocahontas Trail, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185. 757-229-3011 whitingsfuneralhome.com

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