Helen Rowan Rhodes

Helen Virginia Rowan Rhodes (90) of Tucker, GA died peacefully on May 19, 2021 after a brief battle with Leukemia. She was the wife of deceased David Edward Rhodes. They shared 27 years of marriage -until the end of her life Helen faithfully wore her wedding ring set.

Born October 21, 1930 at home in Nashville, GA (Berrien Co.) she was the daughter of John Cornelius and Lena Belle Rowan. She attended higher education at South Georgia State College, Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College (ABAC), and University of Georgia. She held an associate degree in Home Economics. She loyally spent 4 decades teaching elementary aged children reading and pre-kindergarten. When she retired, she held the record for most tenured DeKalb County, GA paraprofessional.

Helen was a caregiver at heart. When Helen was done raising her daughter Carole, she was soon blessed with 2 granddaughters she then spent her days helping raise. Helen doted on her son-in-law, for many years she also helped care for him.
She was a faithful member of Druid Hills Baptist Church for several decades. She enjoyed collecting dainty glassware, dishes, silver, coins, and especially loved anything sparkly. Helen loved to spend time tending her yard and planting or admiring anything that blooms. She was an avid fan of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. She loved following the Atlanta Braves and always knew who won a football game.

She was a true southern lady, or as she would call herself a “G.R.I.T” – a Girl Raised in the South. She loved sweet tea, anything pink, regularly ate grits for breakfast, never left home without lipstick, decorated with lace, and her favorite restaurant was Cracker Barrel. Helen was known for never forgetting your name. She also never forgot a birthday or anniversary and you were guaranteed to have a card with her beautiful penmanship in your mailbox. She loved any excuse to celebrate and was always in attendance with themed plates and napkins.
She treasured traveling to the 100+ year old family farm she grew up on. Her most treasured past time was spending time with family.

She will be remembered for her compassion, quiet generosity, ever-present love, and gorgeous white hair.

She is survived by her daughter, Carole Rhodes Strickland, 2 granddaughters Leslie Michelle James (Jim), Amy Strickland Baggett (Jarrett), her sister Patricia Rowan Ford, 4 great-grandchildren Reese, Chandler, Knox, Jax, plus 2 bonus great-grandchildren Justin James and Chyna Bright (Ryan), 1 great-great grandchild Emery, 2 nieces and 1 nephew Gail Dismuke, Sharon Dodds, and Michael Ford. Helen was blessed with 13 great nieces/nephews and 20 great-great nieces/nephews.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, infant daughter Susan Elaine Rhodes, son-in-law John Strickland, her parents, 3 siblings Donald Rowan, Dorothy Drake, and Frances Griffin, 3 brother-in-laws, niece Diana Moore, and nephew Johnny Drake.
Funeral services will be held at A.S. Turner & Sons on Saturday May 22, 2021 at 2:00pm. The family will receive friends from 12:30-2:00pm. Interment will be in Floral Hills Memory Gardens, Tucker, GA.

Memorial Donations / in lieu of flowers may be made to Cystic Fibrosis Organization (www.cff.org) or Join Izzy's Fight Against CANCER (gofund.me/b7abc13c). Izzy is a precious friend of Helen’s great-granddaughter Reese. A.S. Turner and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.