Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Bynum and Maggie (Hendon) McClain; her husband, L.M. Keeton; her son-in-law, Larry Bradberry; her siblings, Annie, Bertha, Carlos, Florence, Mary Virginia, Oscar, Vester, and Whit; and her like-a-sister niece, Lorene Anderson.
She is survived by her devoted daughter, Brenda Bradberry; granddaughter, Leigh Bradberry (husband Tim Horton); amazing 97-year-old sister, Johnnie Bea Queen; a host of loving and loyal nieces and nephews from her extended McClain family (who never stopped sending her cards, calling about her, or visiting her at the nursing home); a host of loving nieces and nephews from the Keeton family (who treated her like she was their own blood); her one-of-a-kind niece, Faye Jenkins, who for years doted on Helen, cooked for Helen, and was like another daughter to Helen; and her special little boy, Greg Anderson, who is the only person Leigh would be willing to share her Granny with.
To be in Helen’s presence was to feel safe, calm, and loved. She was an eternal optimist and peacemaker who always chose to see the good in everyone. Helen never had to tell anyone she was a Christian; instead, she quietly but firmly provided a Christ-like example by the way she lived her life and treated others. She was compassionate, patient, forgiving, and never abandoned or gave up on anyone. She never judged others and people were drawn to her because of that. The only thing you could do to upset Helen was to say something negative about any member of her family in her presence; she simply would not have that. Helen never complained or felt sorry for herself, despite living with Parkinson’s Disease for over 15 years. And she was an excellent cook. She cooked huge Sunday dinners every Sunday, and made a big breakfast every day, for over 60 years. We will particularly miss her chicken and dumplings, fried okra, and banana pudding.
Helen’s mother Maggie McClain was a founding member of the Carbon Hill Church of God in 1918. Helen attended that church for all 94 years of her life, where she sang with her powerful and spirit-filled alto voice for almost 75 years. As her loving niece Janet Hyche always said, God would never take away Helen’s voice, despite her Parkinson’s. Time will never erase the memories of the Keeton trio: Helen singing, L.M. singing and playing the guitar, and Brenda singing and playing the piano.
Helen was a proud graduate of Carbon Hill High School. She was a devoted wife to L.M. for over 60 years, whom she took care of like a nurse for 14 years after his stroke, including his last 3 years of being totally bedridden. She was a loving mother to her Big Baby Brenda, who never left Helen’s side. After Brenda was grown, Helen worked in the Carbon Hill High School lunchroom for almost 10 years. But when Leigh Ann was born, Helen gave up her job to take care of Leigh while Brenda went back to teaching. That decision would form a bond that will never be broken, even in death.
Brenda and Leigh would like to thank everyone at Walker Rehabilitation in Carbon Hill for the care they gave to Helen. While we regret that we cannot individually thank all of the health care workers there who doted on Helen, we would be remiss if we did not thank Jennifer Wright for all that she did, working long hours and doing difficult, unglamorous work. Jenn, we know you did everything humanly possible to make Helen’s life happy. We also appreciate NP Alfreida Hogan; God truly worked through your hands, mind, and heart. And we thank Dr. Jaymin Patel, formerly at Walker Baptist, who literally saved Helen’s life last year and gave us more precious time with her. Thanks also to Troy and Bridget Tannehill; your unceasing prayers, visits to the nursing home and ICU, songs and guitar playing will never be forgotten.
Although we will not be having a funeral at this time, we will have a joyous and proper Celebration of Life for Helen at the Carbon Hill Church of God with Pastor Johnny Sims once it is safe to do so. In lieu of flowers or financial contributions, Brenda and Leigh ask that you honor the life that Helen lived and follow her example by: being compassionate and kind to your fellow human beings; loving other people, including those who happen to have been born with a different skin color from yours; and taking unselfish and small steps to protect the health and lives of others. Please do whatever you can as an individual so that other families don’t have to suffer the same cruel loss so brutally inflicted by COVID-19.
Partager l'avis de décès
v.1.11.1