Bertha "Sandy" Hevener

Bertha “Sandy” (Coukouma) Hevener, 76, of Blue Grass, passed away Saturday, December 4, 2021 at Augusta Health.

She was born March 7, 1945 in Brooklyn, New York, a daughter of the late Richard Speros and Ida Mae (Cagle) Coukouma.

Sandy was a contributor to the Washington D.C. Color School movement of abstract expressionist artists in the late 1960s and early 1970s. She had multiple one woman shows at the Jefferson Place Gallery. She taught color and art theory at the Corcoran Gallery. She worked as a cartographer for USGS and was often seen riding her Suzuki X6 Hustler about town.

Sandy arrived in Highland County in the mid-1970s thanks to a dear friend who owned land in the Middle Mountain area where she found the perfect setting to build a teepee and to retreat from the hustle of the D.C. area. Not too long after moving to Highland she met the love of her life. She and Edmund Randolph Hevener Jr. were married on April 9th, 1976. Throughout her life she was an explorer of many caves, a trophy winning dirt biker, a prolific and talented photographer and journalist, a sheep farmer, as well as a magistrate for Highland County for 24 years. She will be remembered for her love of eagles and honey badgers, her fearlessness, abundant zest for life and desire to always learn and explore new ideas. She was a woman of great determination, intellect, and spirit.

In addition to her husband of 45 years, she is survived by her daughter, Amanda Hevener and husband, Ben Hooks of Batesville; son, Edmund Randolph Hevener III of Staunton; brother, Euclid Coukouma of Silver Spring, Md.; as well as her grandson, Joseph Randolph Hevener of Staunton.

A graveside funeral will be held 2 p.m., Saturday, December 11, 2021 in Blue Grass Cemetery with Pastor Kathryn A. Hull officiating.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Highland County Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 267, Monterey, Va. 24465 or Blue Grass Cemetery, 3042 Blue Grass Valley Rd, Blue Grass Va. 24413.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.obaughfuneralhome.com.

A Memorial Tree was planted for Bertha "Sandy"

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