Mildred Ione Isom Helsley, age 93, died Thursday, November 14, 2018 after a very lengthy illness. Mrs. Helsley was born January 6, 1925 in Russellville, Alabama but grew up in Colbert County, on Frankfort Road, Tuscumbia, Alabama. She graduated from Cherokee Vocational High School and moved to Washington D.C. to work for the Federal Government. She attended and graduated from Cosmetology School. She met her late husband in D.C., married and moved to Annandale, Virginia. They were avid antique collectors. Upon retirement they moved to Woodstock, Virginia, bought a colonial home and opened an antique shop. After her husband’s death, she moved to Muscle Shoals. Upon leaving Woodstock, she sold and donated many of her antiques to the Woodstock Museum and to the newly built Winchester Museum which houses a section devoted to “The Helsley Collection.” She was a very active member of the Tennessee Valley Historical Society and Democratic National Committee. She was instrumental in getting the Roosevelt Monument erected in Sheffield, Alabama. She was a member of the New Bethel Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Alma Mae Grissom Isom; husband, Bruce A. Helsley; brother, Clayton Isom; and sisters, Nellie Porter, Ludie Wagnon, Freddie Mae Malone and Betty Jean Hester.
She is survived by a very special sister-in-law, Bernice Isom; and several nieces and nephews.
Mildred’s visitation will be Saturday, November 17, 2018 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Morrison Funeral Home, Tuscumbia. The funeral service will be at 3 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Jim Bevis and Frank Whitaker officiating. Burial will follow in New Bethel Cemetery.
Her nephews will serve as the pallbearers and honorary pallbearers.
A very special thanks to her caregivers, Melissa, Mary, Renea, Tiffany and Darlene and to the nurses and staff of North Alabama Hospice, especially Lori, Helen and Nicole.
Memorials may be made in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
1 comment
Mildred was a dear friend and contributed much to the community. I regret that I will be out-of-town for her funeral. She will always be special to me.