Heidi Lea Zepeda

Heidi Lea Zepeda of Lakeland Florida went to be with the Lord on Friday August 27th. Born to Cecil & Clara Elkins on June 19th, 1973 in Vancouver Washington, she is survived by her beloved husband of 28 years, John. Her twin children, Corbin & Coryn both of Lakeland and her eldest son Blake Kain of Tucson, Arizona. Also survived by her sister, Heather Simmons of Vancouver Washington and brothers Heath Elkins of Vancouver Washington, Seth and Sean Elkins of Florida as well as over thirty nephews and nieces in Washington, Iowa, and Florida.


Heidi being full of life lit up any room she entered with her beautiful smile and infectious laugh. A retired housewife who loved taking care of her family, volunteering, and her passionate love of tennis. Heidi, a Girl Scout troop leader for 13 years in Washington and Florida, loved her troops and getting them to participate in annual cookie sales, with her husband being their best customer. Once her daughter finished her final year of girl scouts, Heidi would shift her efforts to the Make-A-Wish foundation putting a giant smile on those children that needed it the most. An avid theater actress in Lakeland Florida, Heidi would take any role she was offered.


Heidi was fortunate enough to see her daughter go to work with her father at his business at John J. Jerue Truck Brokers as Heidi worked at Jerue for a few years herself before retiring and living her dreams taking care of her husband and children. Heidi was also fortunate enough to see her son graduate from UCF this year before her passing. One of her pastimes with her daughter, Coryn, was to take extravagant spa days and endless shopping while also catching up on the latest movie release and target shooting with her son, Corbin. While not being located in the same state as her eldest son, Blake, Heidi always loved spending time to catch up and stay in touch. Quite possibly her favorite time of the week was the free weekends she got to spend with her Husband, John. Whether it was being lazy around the house, playing tennis together, or enjoying each other's company, Heidi loved the time she got to spend with her husband.
The burning flame in her life was tennis as it started out as a fun hobby for exercise that ended up staying with her becoming her passion in life. Tennis was her biggest passion in life, going as far as to start Little Pros where Heidi would teach younger children the basics of the sport while also leaving a positive impact on the young aspiring players. Her greatest accomplishment in Tennis occurred July 30th to August 2nd 2021 where she and her Polk County USTA team, Smart Aces, won the USTA Sectional Championship of 2021 in Lake Nona, Florida. Smart Aces earned a spot to compete in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on October 1st to the 3rd for the USTA National Championship which unfortunately she will not be able to attend. Her loving team members who were her second family, Captain Nikki Giusto lead the following players: Heidi Zepeda, Cassie Miller, Kacee Swain, JJ Spann, Kara Reber, Angie Shoemaker, Amanda Smith, Amanda Strawbridge, Jan Hyman, and Debbi Carter. The team plans to honor Heidi by taking her personal racquet to Oklahoma to hit the first ball of their first match in her honor. Smart Aces was Heidi's 2nd family and playing Tennis with her Polk County family was her flaming passion in life.
There are not enough words to properly describe her beautiful life, her brilliant smile and how much she was loved and will be truly missed by those she loved and touched. Rest In Peace to a beloved Wife, Mother, Sister, & Player Heidi Lea Zepeda.

Services will be held at Lakeland Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens.
Visitation from 5-7 PM Friday September 3, 2021
Service Saturday September 4, 2021 at 3 PM.


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