Ellen Marie Heath, 71, of Carolina Beach, formerly of Lillington, passed away, Tuesday, September 5, 2023 at Lower Cape Fear Lifecare Hospice in Wilmington, NC.

Ellen was born June 28, 1952 in Cumberland County to the late Charles Wesley Heath and Mary Eason Godwin.  She was proud to serve as a deputy sheriff in Harnett, Lee and New Hanover Counties.  Ellen was a member of Seaside Chapel in Carolina Beach, NC.

She was preceded in death by her brothers, Daniel Heath, Steve Heath, Gene Heath, Larry Heath, and Pete Heath; and sister, Catherine Turner.

Ellen is survived by her son, Jimmy Lucas; daughter, Elaine Lucas Griffin; sister-in-law, Kay Heath; grandchildren, Ann Marie Lucas, Ava Kay Lucas, Caitlin Hatfield, Amanda Purvis, Tessa Delaney Griffin, Johnny Lynn Griffin (Ashley), and Adriana Griffin Thompson (Joshua Ray Thompson); great grandchildren, Gunner Wendell Thompson, and Brynley Nicole Griffin; many nieces and nephews and her very special friend, a true blessing in her life, Charlie Copelan.

A funeral service will be held 12pm Friday, September 8, 2023 at O'Quinn-Peebles-Phillips Funeral Home Chapel, 1310 S. Main St., Lillington, NC 27546, with Rev. Jerry Vess officiating.  Burial will follow the service at Montlawn Memorial Park in Raleigh, NC.  The family will receive friends 11am – 12pm prior to the service at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital; or Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Hospice.

Arrangements by O'Quinn-Peebles-Phillips Funeral Home & Crematory, Lillington. Online condolences at http://www.oppfh.com.