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. The family will be dressed in festive attire but wear what you are comfortable in.

In lieu of flowers remembrances may be given to

Family Promise of the Coastal Empire 126 Horizon Park Drive Savannah, GA 31405.

Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home, Effingham Chapel. 912-754-6421