Rebecca Emmie Heidt

Wear your rainbow heart glasses so you can see the world with love. 

Obituary

Marlow – Rebecca Emmie Heidt, 56, passed away at Hospice Savannah surrounded by her family.

The Effingham County native was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, where she was active as a child in Sunday School and in the Youth organization, and as an adult until her death. Her passion was Evangelism/Social Ministry and young adult education.

She graduated from Effingham County High School in 1987 with high honors receiving several scholarships. She enjoyed playing softball and was extremely active in 4-H winning many rewards including a national photography contest while in high school. Her photo was published in “Christmas in America”, edition 1988.

She graduated Suma Cum Laude from Georgia State in 1992 with a Bachelor of Business Administration with a specialization in Marketing after spending her first 3 years at Georgia Tech as a Industrial Engineering major and interning with The Tom Barrow company. While attending Georgia State, she interned with Senator Sam Nunn in Washington, DC. She was also active in the Lutheran Campus Ministry at Georgia Tech and sang as part of the Georgia Tech Chorale. While at GSU Rebecca met David Harris and they were married October 1st 1994 at Zion Lutheran Church.

Rebecca’s career began with several management roles at PetSmart, ultimately as a regional director for new store startups. She was recruited back to Effingham County to work with Effingham Health System in the administration as a Marketing Manager.

In 1994, Rebecca selflessly joined with her newlywed husband as he took an engineering position with International Paper in Bastrop, Louisiana. Shortly thereafter God called them back to Effingham to begin their large and beautiful family of 7 children. With that family she started several businesses most notably the family owned and operated Salzburger Haus in 2015; a locally sourced farm to table restaurant in Springfield Ga.

She has spent her life in service to God and her community. She was an integral part of starting Habitat for Humanity and Family Promise in Effingham County. She has started many ministries at Zion over the years, most recently a “know your neighbor” ministry to the new Korean families from Hyundai and its subsidiaries. Helping their spouses and children acclimate to the south and southern culture. She also headed up EF (Education First) foreign exchange student program in the 4 county area helping to find host families for foreign students.

Her greatest joys in life were being a mother and spouse. Loving not just to her own children but to anyone in need of a friend or assistance.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Melinda Barner Heidt (2019).

Survivors include her husband, David Christian Harris 54; children Anna Lee 29 (Alexis), Christian Emma 27, Charles Lemuel 25 (Asyria), Melina Katherine 23 (Nick), Ella Lynn 21, Rebekah Rae 19, and Isabelle Diane 16 HeidtHarris; father, Charlie Heidt 88; sisters, Sondra Einig (Gerry), Phyllis Heidt, Debbie Heidt (Bonnie Presley), Charlene Bulovic (Mirko); aunt, Kay Barner; nephews and niece, Jake (Kathryn) and Jack Einig; Luka, Eva, and Lazar Bulovic; and many cousins.

Visitation will be 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Strickland & Sons, 2460 GA-21, Rincon, GA 31326. 912-754-6421

Celebration of Life service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Zion Lutheran Church, 121 Noel C. Conaway Road, Guyton, GA 31312 with a brief reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall next door. Please wear purple or happy colors if possible.

In lieu of flowers remembrances may be given to

Family Promise of the Coastal Empire: 126 Horizon Park Drive Savannah, GA 31405 or the Savannah Botanical Gardens: 1388 Eisenhower Dr, Savannah, GA 31406-3902.

Voice Memos

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Memory Wall

May 2, 2025

Meeting Rebecca was one of the greatest blessings in my life. She always welcomed me with warmth, treated me with kindness, and brought so much positive energy into my life.
I learned so much from her. She was my best teacher, a dear friend, and at times, like an American mom to me.
She was truly a beautiful person, and I will remember her forever.

I can’t imagine the pain her family must be going through, but I hope they find comfort in remembering her and supporting one another through this difficult time.

I love you, Rebecca.

Amelia

May 2, 2025

Rebecca was a good friend. She had a huge heart and was always willing to help. I am so heartbroken and will always remember what wisdom and humility she had. I am grateful to have had her friendship. RIP beautiful Rebecca.

Aubrey O Sturm

May 2, 2025

Rebecca's path and mine only crossed briefly, but even in that short time she made a lasting impact on me. I remember her warm, welcoming, and grounding energy. I remember her easy laugh and her wise words. She had the kind of smile that reached all the way to her eyes and made you feel truly listened to and understood.

Rebecca was what I think of when I think of a true Christian. She loved God, cherished her family, and genuinely cared for all beings.

I'm saddened that her time here with her loved ones was cut short. I’ll be sending my love as they gather to remember and honor her. My heartfelt condolences. She truly lived a life worth celebrating.

Katie Councill

May 2, 2025

Rebecca Heidt-Harris has a radiant soul since the day that I was blessed with meeting her and her family. From being a role model to her children, an amazing spouse to her husband, to becoming a mother figure to children like me who didn’t have that motherly role model in their own homes. She never could turn a stray away from seeing Gods light in simple acts of love. Wether it be taking me to bible camp with her kids or church every Sunday, letting me live in her tiny home with her bountiful family for the entire summer, or just making sure I was fed and showered with love and acceptance, she never failed to instill in me how important being kind, accepting and a great friend truly is. The world truly has suffered a big loss with the passing of such an angel, but each of us will continue to carry on her legacy of leaving this world a little brighter by loving one another and standing up for what’s right. I will never forget everything Mrs. Rebecca has taught me and I just hope I can have half of the courage, heart and vibrancy that she bestowed every one of us.

Jordan (Parker) Iovine

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