Funeral services for James Robert Heard, age 81, of Tampa, FL, formerly of Randolph County, will be held on Saturday, July 31, 2021, at 11:00 AM at Benefield Funeral Chapel with Rev. Steve Dempsey and Bro. Phillip Heard officiating. Burial will follow at Corinth North Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5:00-8:00 PM on Friday, July 30, 2021.

Mr. Heard passed away Thursday, July 22, 2021, at his residence.

Survivors include his wife, Carolyn Cofield Heard of Tampa, FL; two daughters, Tina Heard Zitnyar and Talma Heard Viera (Ricardo), both of Tampa, FL; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; three sisters, Kathryn Peacock of New Brockton, AL, Carolyn Sue Kelly of Ranburne, AL, and Miriam Jane Mularz of Enterprise, AL; and two brothers, Bill Heard of Montana and Phillip Heard of Newell, AL.

Pallbearers will be Drew Heard, Blake Wilson, Wallace Bates, Ronnie Cofield, Conner Viera, and Ricardo Viera.

A Randolph County native, Mr. Heard was born on September 18, 1939, the son of James Arthur and Myrtle Maybelle Bates Heard. He was a member of Hillsdale Baptist Church in Tampa and was retired from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office where he served as a detention deputy and was also retired from Reynolds Medals Co. Mr. Heard was a United States Army veteran of the Vietnam conflict. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Steven Robert Heard; and two brothers, John Heard and Baby Boy Heard.

Memorials may be floral or donations may be to the Corinth North Cemetery Fund c/o Betty Traylor at 2173 Co Rd 23, Wedowee AL 36278.