Muriel Kay Heimer

Muriel Kay Heimer, age 90, passed away at home in Lake City, Florida on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. She was born in Palatka, Florida to Dr. Carl P. Arant and Muriel Ernestine Wells (Arant) in 1933. Kay grew up in Miami and attended college at Wake Forest University, graduating Phi Beta Kappa, Summa Cum Laude with a BA in History and Government. While there, she became the first woman to win a national debate championship title. Later, she received her MAT degree in History and English, from Rollins College and her Ed.D. degree in Higher Education Administration from Nova Southeastern University.

Dr. Heimer began her career as an Associate Professor at Brevard Community College at the Cocoa Campus. During this time teaching English and Debate, her all-female debate team won the state championship. After ten years, she was appointed an administrator, serving as a Director, Dean, and then Provost. In 1984, she was appointed President of Lake City Community College (Florida Gateway College), becoming the second woman community college president in Florida. Later in her career, she was inducted into the Educators Hall of Fame for Florida. Avocationally, Dr. Heimer was a passionate reader, traveler, and animal lover. She was a breeder of Maine Coon Cats, with her cattery, Mysticoon, featuring international cat show winners. Through all her life, her proudest achievement was the blending of two wonderful families, The Heimers & Bokinskys. The merger of which gave rise to her and her husband's most significant legacy: the support of their large family and the Thanksgiving celebration at the "Farm" in North Carolina. Dr. Heimer will forever be remembered as a beloved mother and wife, an effective educator, a trailblazer in women's empowerment, and a member of an outstanding family.

She was predeceased by her husband, Dr. William L Heimer, her son, James E Elledge, her sister, Jessica Susan Berger, and her brother, Carl P. Arant Jr. She is survived by her daughter, Carolyn Bokinsky, son-in-law, Gary; her four grandchildren, Eric and wife, Carol, James and wife, Rachel, George, and Ann Catherine; her four great grandchildren, Hamilton, Madelyn, Adair, and Brooks; her nephew, Eric Berger and husband, Dan Amboyer, and children, Theodore and Phoebe; and niece, Katharine Williams and husband, Kevin, and children, Hannah and Rachel and husband, Elias Gonzalez; and her most cherished and wonderful extended family: Michelle Wilson; William Heimer and husband, Chuck Sigmon; Cherie Barzelatto and husband, Jovan; Whitney Rose Wilson, Will Shields and family; Matthew Wilson and wife, Alison; Joseph Wilson; Michelle Kragelund; Christian Kragelund; Heidi Fisk and husband, Joshua, and family; Hannah Heimer and husband, Kurt Rhee; and David Heimer.

The celebration of life will be at St. James Episcopal Church, located at 2423 SW Bascom Norris Dr., Lake City, Florida 32025. The service will be on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at 3:00 PM. A reception will follow next door at Parish Hall. Cremation arrangements are under the direction and care of Gateway-Forest Lawn Funeral Home.

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