Helen B Fellers

COLUMBIA - Helen Bowen Fellers, 84, died Saturday, December 15, 2018 following a long illness. Born in Charlotte, North Carolina and raised in Greenville, South Carolina, Helen was the daughter of Helen Nall and William Jennings Bowen. She was predeceased by her parents as well as her elder brother William H. Bowen, and former spouse, Rufus G. Fellers, PhD.

Helen’s great joys in life were her family, friends and a long career devoted to literacy and sharing her passion for reading. She was a graduate of Greenville High School, earned a bachelor’s degree at Columbia College and held a master’s degree in library science from the University of South Carolina. Her career spanned more than 50 years and encompassed leadership positions in South Carolina libraries, community relations for book publishers and sellers, and teaching. From 2001 until her retirement in 2016, Helen worked with the South Carolina Center for Children’s Books and Literacy at the USC’s School of Library and Information Science. She conceived and hosted the Center’s “Reading Rooster” YouTube program to “crow” about outstanding books for young readers. She was a member of the English Speaking Union, South Carolina Library Association, Columbia Museum of Art, Thomas Cooper Society, and the South Carolina State Council of the International Reading Association. She was a former president of the Greenville Women's Club and served on boards for the South Carolina Humanities Council, the South Carolina Book Festival, Young Palmetto Books Imprint of USC Press, Richland One Reading Rocks and the District One Media Advisory Council. Her numerous professional accolades include the 2013 Literacy Leaders Award from the USC School of Library and Information Science and the 2016 Richland Library Friends Lucy Hampton Bostick Literacy Award.

Helen was known for her infectious enthusiasm for antiques and history, particularly of Great Britain and its monarchy. She was a familiar face to local antique buyers and collectors and she enjoyed hunting for treasures and tending her antique market booths in Columbia and Beaufort. In addition to her decades as a Midlands resident, Helen lived some years in Beaufort, S.C., and Savannah, Ga., favorite coastal communities where she maintained lifelong friendships.

She is survived by her children James Ray Lamm Jr. (Hay) of Spartanburg and Hellen Fellers Dekle of Columbia; former spouse James R. Lamm Sr.; grandchildren Patty Wheatley Nodine (Eric), William Weston Dekle, Helen Alexandra “Xan” Dekle; and great-grandchildren Elise Rae Wheatley and David Allen “Tripp” Wheatley III. Her home life also included a beloved kitty and two grand-dogs.

A memorial service will be held Friday, December 21, 1 p.m., at St. Martin’s in-the-Fields Episcopal Church, 5220 Clemson Ave., Columbia, SC 29206. The family will receive relatives and friends in the church’s Garden Room immediately following the service. Dunbar Funeral Home is assisting the family.

The family suggests memorial contributions may be made to South Carolina Humanities Council (schumanities.org) or the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (pulmonaryfibrosis.org).

The family wishes to thank Amedisys Hospice for their compassionate care and support.