Helen Smith

Helen Loedio Helton Smith, age 89, of Abingdon, Virginia, formerly of Richlands, Virginia, passed away Monday, July 9, 2012 at the Mayfair House, Claypool Hill, Virginia following a lengthy illness. She was born in Russell County, Virginia and was the daughter of the late Seaton and Ocie Wells Helton of Russell County, Virginia. Helen was a graduate of Honaker High School, class of 1941. Widowed at age 30, while living in Arizona, she moved with her children back to Virginia. With unfaltering faith and strength, she worked, educated her children, and returned to college herself to graduate at age 53 in 1976 from the Clinch Valley College with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. Helen continued to educate herself and in 1978, at age 55 she graduated from the University of Virginia with a Master of Education degree, she did all of this for her love of teaching. She previously taught in Wise County before transferring to Russell County and eventually retiring from Honaker Elementary School. Helen was an inspiration to all who knew her. She was also a Charter Member of Gethsemane Baptist Church in Richlands, Virginia. She fought a good fight, she finished her course and she kept the faith. Helen’s arrival in heaven will be busy as she greets her parents, and her husband, Paul Lewis Smith; her son, Jerry Lewis Smith; her two sisters, Dixie Osborne and Eleanor Clark; and two brothers, Helmer Helton and Eugene Helton. Those who remain to carry on her spirit are: Three Daughters: Wanda Powell and husband William of Stephens City, VA Brenda Legge of Abingdon, VA Janet Clark and husband, Robert of Manassas, VA Two Sisters: Macie Proffitt of Beckley, WV Shirley Jackson of Honaker, VA Three Grandchildren: Jerry Horton, Paul Clark and Sarah Clark Two Great Grandchildren: Miranda Weaver and Vanessa Weaver Thirteen very special nieces and nephews Thank you to the loving caretakers at Mayfair House and with Legacy Hospice. Funeral services for Helen Loedio Helton Smith will be conducted Saturday, July 14, 2012 at 1:00 pm at Gethsemane Baptist Church, in Richlands, Virginia with Rev. Lee Kidd officiating. Interment will follow at Russell Memorial Cemetery, Lebanon, Virginia. Pallbearers will be: Harvey Hess, Carl Hess, Jeff Hess, Wayne Bowman, Robert Clark and Paul Clark. Friends may call Saturday afternoon, July 14, 2012 from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm at Gethsemane Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest that expressions of sympathy be made in the form of donations to Legacy Hospice, 1963 Second Street, Richlands, Virginia 24641. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Virginia is in charge of arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com

Helen Smith

April 28, 1923 - July 9, 2012