Rebecca Heatherly Hetherington

Rebecca Pershing Heatherly Hetherington, born to Henry and Billie Heatherly on 21 November
1941 was called home to her heavenly father October 27, 2024. Becky will be remembered for
her devotion to her family, community and country.
Becky was married to Jay Hetherington, husband of 60 plus years. She was a loving mother to
Dana (Hetherington) Waring of Clarke County, Virginia and son, Dale Hetherington of Suches,
Georgia. Becky was “Grammy” to three beautiful, independent and strong granddaughters:
Carly Hetherington of Pittsburgh, PA; Megan Waring deMuth (husband Robbie) of Vienna,
Virginia; and Kristin Waring of Boulder City, Nevada. Becky shared her childhood with brother
Michael Heatherly of Cincinnati, OH.
Becky grew up on the Pershing family farm in Knoxville, TN. Upon graduation from the
University of Tennessee she joined the Centeral Intelligence Agency (CIA) as an analyst. There
she met her husband to be Jay, also a CIA officer. They married on May 24, 1964 and soon
settled in Sterling, Virginia where she chose to be a full time mom to her children and second
mom to many of their friends. Becky was active in both school and community. She served as
the swim team manager for Sterling Park for over ten years, was involved with the Lower
Loudoun Youth Football League and was President of the Sterling Volunteer Fire Department
Auxillary that assisted on fire ground and disaster response.
In 1978 the family moved to Seoul, Korea as part of the US Embassy team. There Becky
assisted with American visitors, worked with the Department of Defense schools and became a
professor of English at Hanyang Univeristy. Upon return to the U.S.Becky rejoined the CIA
working with the U.S. Military at the Pentagon and provding reports on global hotspots.She also
designed her dream home in Great Falls, Virginia. Becky and Jay traveled the world throughout
their marriage both professionally and personally including the United States, Canada, Central
and South America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
Becky and Jay retired in 1995 and moved to Seneca, South Carolina. Becky became an active
member of Seneca Presbyterian Church. Over the years she served as Deacon, Elder, Liturgist
and Associate of Oconee United MInistry (OUM). She served on the Seneca Planning
Commision, Oconee Humane Society Board and Library Board. Becky was twice President of
the Seneca Women’s Club, an active member of the Seneca Home and Garden Club and the
Once a Week Club. All in which she met and grew cherished friendships.
Our gratitude to all who helped Becky and our family the last three months. A special thanks for
Prisma Oconee, Greenville, LTAC and Cottingham House doctors, nurses and staff. As well as
friends of Seneca Presbrytarian Church, our neighbors and community members in Seneca and
Oconee.
Becky will forever be a part of family, church and community. In lieu of flowers and in memory of
her name please consider contributing to one of the community groups of which she was a part:
Oconee United Ministries (OUM) P.O. Box 1307, Seneca, SC 29679; Seneca Presbyterian
Church 115 W. South 1st Street, Seneca, S.C. 29678 ; Oconee Humane Society 1925 Sandifer
Blvd. Seneca, S.C. 29678; Hospice of the Foothills - Cottingham House 390 Keowee School
Rd., Seneca, S.C. 29672 or other charity of your choice.
A celebration of Becky’s life will be held at Seneca Presbyterian Church Thursday, November 14
at 1:00 p.m. with reception to follow.