Victoria "Vicky" Rene' Heyward

Victoria Rene’ Heyward was born on April 23, 1986, to Eashmeal J. Heyward Jr. and

Eileen Green Heyward. She peacefully departed this life on Friday, October 17,

2025, at her home in West Columbia, South Carolina.

Vicky was known for her affectionate smile that could light up any room and for her

kindhearted nature that touched everyone she encountered. She graduated from

Colleton County High School on May 29, 2004, and later attended South Carolina State

University. Vicky proudly served her country as a member of the SC Army National

Guard Reserve.

She dedicated 19 years of service to the South Carolina Department of Natural

Resources (DNR), beginning her career in 2006 as a Minority Intern in the Columbia

office. She later transitioned to an Hourly Marine Resources Division Facilities

Management position in the Charleston office. Within a year, Vicky became a

Permanent Administrative Specialist for MRD Facilities Management in Charleston,

before returning to Columbia to serve as a Fiscal Technician. Over the years, her hard

work and commitment led to her promotion to Assistant Business Manager back in

Charleston and, in 2021, to Procurement Specialist in the Columbia office.

In 2018, Vicky was honored as the Employee of the Year at the South Carolina

Department of Natural Resources, Marine Resources Division. Her professionalism,

dedication and compassion earned her the deep respect of her colleagues and friends

alike.

Outside of work, she found joy in the simple pleasures of life, traveling with her family,

and especially fishing and crabbing. Vicky was an avid fisherman. Each year, she would

bring her younger cousins and nephews to the South Carolina Department of Natural

Resources Fishing Rodeo in Walterboro, SC. The boys always caught plenty of fish,

and later that evening, Vicky would clean the catfish and prepare a delicious meal for

the family to enjoy together. She treasured those moments of laughter, love, and

togetherness.

Vicky was preceded in death by her grandmother, Mamie Wright Green; grandfather,

Eashmeal Heyward Sr; aunt, Catherine Wright; and uncles, Nathaniel Green Jr., Andre

Green Sr. and Eddie Crawford.

She leaves to cherish her precious memories: her loving mother, Eileen Green

Heyward; devoted father, Eashmeal J. Heyward Jr. both of Walterboro, SC; one sister,

Stephanie Mone’ Heyward, Walterboro, SC; grandmother Marilyn Paige Gray Orlando,

FL, two beloved nephews, Ture Heyward and Liam Edwards of Walterboro, SC. Aunts,

Genelle Smalls Walterboro, SC, Monica Coston (Granville) Bear, DE, Sharon Green

New Castle, DE, Carolyn Heyward Savannah, GA, Hattie Heyward and Cheryl Crawford

of Perth Amboy, NJ, Vonetta Gray Monmouth Junction, NJ, and Tracy Beckford

Orlando, FL; uncle Preida Heyward, Lynchburg VA; grand uncles, Anthony Wright Sr.

and Jervie Wright Sr. (Lucille) both of White Hall, SC, Nathaniel Spencer Marlboro, NJ;

grand aunts, Annette Gethers (Richard Lee) Ritter SC, Susie Kinnery Jersey City, NJ,

Willie Mae Morgan Akron OH, Anna Huggins White Hall, SC, Florrie Elliott and Lousie

Smith Brooklyn, NY, Margaret Green Green Pond, SC, Corrine Spencer Perth Amboy

NJ, Sylvia Stewart Atlanta, GA; best friend and cousin Tisa Mack Atlanta, Ga, along

with a host of special cousins, extended family, and friends who will deeply miss her.

Vicky will be remembered for her radiant smile, her generous heart, and the love she

shared with everyone she met. She will be truly missed by all who knew and loved her.

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