Helen Lanier Gilder, age 88, of Florence, AL., passed away on Easter Sunday, March 27, 2016, at Mitchell-Hollingsworth Annex in Florence.
Born in Birmingham, AL on March 22, 1928, she was the daughter of the late Catherine Lanier. Helen was a graduate of Phillips High School and she attended Montevallo University. While in Birmingham, she was an active member of the Methodist Church.
In 1950, Helen married Edward L. Gilder, Jr. of Birmingham. He was the love of her life, and their love for each other was an inspiration to all who knew them. After marriage, Helen and Ed resided in Enterprise and Eufaula where Helen enjoyed teaching kindergarten out of their home. Their oldest daughter, Cathy, was born in Eufaula. They later moved to Gadsden where their second daughter, Joy, was born. Ed and Helen were active Salvation Army volunteers in Gadsden.
Since moving to Florence 47 years ago, Ed and Helen were active and faithful members of Parkway Methodist Church and Cypress Creek Methodist Church. Helen’s Christian love for others and her faith in God will always be remembered. She generously gave of herself to others including Meals on Wheels.
Ed and Helen’s greatest joy was spending time with their family and friends. After Ed’s retirement from Reynolds, he and Helen enjoyed many trips to Florida in their camper to visit their daughter, Joy. They also enjoyed spending time with their daughter, Cathy, and her family in Florence.
Helen will always be remembered as a sweet and gentle person with a kind and loving spirit. She always enjoyed helping others, including the long-term loving care of her mother, Catherine, and her husband, Ed, during their long-term illnesses and deaths.
Visitation will be 11:30-1:00 p.m. Thursday, March 31, 2016 at Cypress Creek Methodist Church. The church is located at the corner of Cox Creek Parkway and Lewis Bruce Lane in Florence. The funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, March 31, 2016, also at the church. Officiating at the service will be the Reverend Carey Collum.
Helen is survived by two daughters, Cathy McDowell of Florence, and Joy Gilder (Jeff) of Nakomis, FL; four grandchildren, David McDowell, Matthew McDowell (Christa), Amy Matusevic (Kyle), and Michael McDowell (Kirstyn); four great-grandchildren, Cooper McDowell, Ava McDowell, Violet McDowell, and Logan Matusevic; cousin, Kenny Giddens.
Pallbearers will be David McDowell, Matthew McDowell, Michael McDowell, and Kyle Matusevic.
The family thanks their church family, friends, neighbors, and others for their prayers and other expressions of kindness. Thanks to Dr. Lyman Mitchell and his staff for their loving care through the years.
Memorial contributions may be made to Cypress Creek Methodist Church, P.O. Box 111, Florence, AL 35631 or to the Salvation Army, 1601 Huntsville Road, Florence, AL 35630.
