Emory Stilton Heard, III, was born on May 26, 1969, in New York City, New York, the son of the late Janey Middleton (Heard) and Emory Heard, Jr. He departed this life on Saturday, September 5, 2026, in San Diego, California.

Stilton, as we all knew him, attended the public schools of San Diego County, California, where he graduated from high school. He later attended the University of California at Irvine, where he received his Bachelor’s degree.

Stilton’s love for helping people led him to become a Paralegal, a career in which he spent 26 years working in Victim Services with the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office. He was a cherished member of the Victim Services Division. As part of the Joint Power Team, his focus and expertise were instrumental in helping victims of crime receive their compensation from the state in an efficient manner.

Stilton loved ocean fishing, baseball, and sipping on a good cup of coffee.

He leaves to cherish his memory: a special sister/cousin, Pamela (Julius) Denson of Valrico, FL; his beloved aunts, Edna Thompson of Moncks Corner, SC, Kaye Burrow, Sandra Russell, and Sharon Heard, all of Alabama; an uncle, Robert Heard of New Jersey; his dearest first, second, and third cousins; his work family from the San Diego, California, District Attorney’s Office – Victims Division; and his mom’s most special and devoted friends, Jessica Washington and Cassandra Harrison, both of Los Angeles, CA.

Viewing will be held on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, from 10:00 to 11:00 am at Gethers Funeral Home, 200 Grace Street, Moncks Corner, SC. A Celebration of Life Service will held on Wednesay, September 30, 2026, 11:00 am at O. Allen Gethers Memorial Chapel, 200 Grace Street, Moncks Corner, SC. Burial will follow in Bethel U.M. Church Cemetery, 1245 Forty-One Road, St. Stephen, SC.