Ana Hechavarria Obituary

After a long battle with chronic heart failure, our beloved matriarch and mother, Ana Hechavarria, left this world to be in the presence of her Lord. She passed peacefully in her sleep in the early morning hours of April 9th, 2025 in Ooltewah, TN. A mother, grandmother and great - grandmother to her family who will be sorely missed by us all.
Ana Iris Heng began her life on August 18th, 1938, in Yara, Cuba, a town in the Oriente province of her native land. At an early age, her widowed mother moved the family to Havana, the capital city. There, she attended school and church, where she met the love of her life, Andres Hechavarria, whom she married on December 31st, 1958. They had two boys, Jose and Joel and together with them emigrated to the United States in October of 1970. Ana, her husband and sons worked and carved out a life in their new country, settling in Atlanta, GA in the home on Shepherds Lane that became her happy place, full of flowers of every kind. For 52 years, she and Andres made it their home, until his passing in 2019 and her recent move to Ooltewah.
During her working years she was a homemaker and a stay - at - home nanny to many young people who still lovingly remember their "Nana". Earlier in life in Atlanta, she also worked in the Central Supply department of the former Georgia Baptist Hospital. But, the work she most cherished was the work in her extensive gardens, which she and Andres lovingly tended for so many years and so many neighbors, family members and passers - by enjoyed.
She was very proud of her children, grandchildren and great grandchild. She was also proud to be an American. Above all else, she loved Jesus and served Him faithfully until her passing. Ana was a faithful member of Jefferson Avenue Baptist Church, Spanish Mission, where she attended until her failing health prevented her from doing so.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Andres Hechavarria. Also preceding her in death were her grandson, Jonathan Hechavarria; her parents, Felipe Heng and Herminia Ferrer de Heng; her sisters, Esther (Garcia), Elizabeth Heng; and her brothers, Felipe and Pedro Heng.
She is survived by her children, Jose and Andrea Hechavarria of Ooltewah, TN and Joel and Juanita Hechavarria of Alto, GA; grandaughter, Elizabeth (Ryan) Krafick; grandsons: Andrew, Justin and Jason Hechavarria; great-granddaughter, Kyle Krafick.
Sisters Raquel (Betancourt), Clara (Luis) Chiang, and Martha (Diaz).
She is also survived by a great many nieces and nephews, grandnieces and nephews and great grandnieces and nephews who will miss her kind, loving smile dearly.dren, grandchildren and great grandchild. She was also proud to be an American. Above all else, she loved Jesus and served Him faithfully until her passing. Ana was a faithful member of Jefferson Avenue Baptist Church, Spanish Mission, where she attended until her failing health prevented her from doing so.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Andres Hechavarria. Also preceding her in death were her grandson, Jonathan Hechavarria. Her parents, Felipe Heng and Herminia Ferrer de Heng, her sisters Esther (Garcia), Elizabeth Heng and her brothers, Felipe and Pedro Heng.
She is survived by her children, Jose and Andrea Hechavarria of Ooltewah, TN and Joel and Juanita Hechavarria of Alto, GA. Grandaughter Elizabeth (Ryan) Krafick, grandsons Andrew, Justin and Jason Hechavarria, great-granddaughter Kyle Krafick; sisters: Raquel (Betancourt), Clara (Luis) Chiang, and Martha (Diaz). She is also survived by a great many nieces and nephews, grandnieces and nephews and great-grandnieces and nephews who will miss her kind, loving smile dearly.