Helen Wiley Elrod died passed away at age 91 at DeKalb Hospital on Monday, March 1, 2010. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Decatur, GA. Helen was born in Leeksville, North Carolina on May 21, 1921, the daughter of Lilly Smart and John C. Wiley. She came to Atlanta as a young enlisted WAC at Fort McPherson. She attended Ga. State where she met Roy O’Neal Elrod, her husband of 44 years. Roy was the original director of the Atlanta Civic Center and Auditoriums overseeing the building of the facilities during the 1960 and early 70’s. He and Helen enjoyed many years of attending shows at the Civic Center. In addition to attending performances and shows, they loved traveling and visited many foreign countries with their friends. Helen was very active in earlier times and involved with the West End Elementary Band and PTA’s. She went back to school to study nursing later in life and loved “nursing” as a profession, but loved most helping her friends who affectionately called her “Doctor Elrod”. She also loved being in a number of organizations where she held leadership positions, such as, the Daughters of the Nile and the Half Notes, an Auxiliary for the Chanter Unit of Yaarab Temple. She helped establish the widows and widowers social club in the Yaarah Temple. A special thanks to her long-time friend, Bertha Blanchard, who has been involved in all the clubs with Helen and been a constant friend. Helen is survived by her three daughters, Mary Ann Brumblelow, husband, Doug of McDonough, Pam La Barreare of Woodstock, and Barbara “Bobbi” Schaad and husband, Johnny of Knoxville, TN,; five grandchildren, Jay and Joy Schaad, Cary LaBarreare and Darra McMichen and Victor Brumblelow; and three great-grandchildren, Tanner LaBarreare, Luke and Olivia McMichen. Helen is survived by Luther Stewart, her long-time special companion. Sincere thanks to the caregivers who have taken such wonderful care of our mother for many years and became an extended part of our family. Graveside services will be held at Greenwood Cemetery on Thursday, March 4 at 2 P.M., with Rev. Sharon Dowd officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 3, followed by a memorial service at A. S. Turner & Sons.
