Helen Bell Major

HELEN BELL MAJOR was born on November 7, 1950 to Ozell and Alice Bell of Alexandria, Louisiana. Helen departed this life to her new home on Thursday, June 26, 2014. She professed her faith and belief in Christ and was baptized at Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church in Alexandria, Louisiana. Helen and her husband Tipp have been faithful members of Lakewood Church, Houston, Texas since 1982.

Helen attended public school in Alexandria, Louisiana and graduated from Peabody High School in 1968. After graduating, Helen attended Southern University graduating with her Bachelors of Art degree in 1971. Helen received her Master of Education from the State University of New York at Buffalo and Management certification from Sam Houston State College. She met her husband of 41 years, Tipp Major, while attending Southern University. They were married on July 7, 1973.

Helen Major was a dedicated educator, leader and mentor for over 43 years. She began her career as an educator in 1971 as a 3rd grade teacher in Alexandria, Louisiana. In 1973 she married and relocated to Buffalo, New York where she taught 3rd and 4th graders as a classroom teacher and curriculum specialist. In 1979 Helen moved to Houston and began working for Spring ISD as a teacher at Anderson Elementary School and later in 1988 at Link Elementary. She became the assistant principal at Clark Elementary in 1996 and was named the principal there in January 2000. In January of 2003, Helen opened the new Clark Intermediate School as principal where she served till she retired in 2008. After retirement, Helen continued until her death as a Field Supervisor for Region 4, supervising teachers seeking alternate certification and the principal certification.

On February 11, 2009, the Spring Independent School District honored Helen by naming one of the new elementary schools, Helen Major Elementary.

Helen Bell Major was preceded in death by her parents; and one brother, Ernest. She is survived by her loving husband of 41 years, Tipp Major; her sons, Tipp Major and wife Mia and Brian Major and wife Tara; her daughters, Tiffany Major and Stephanie Hinton and husband Orage; her brother, John Bell, Sr.; her sister, Ola Mae Davis; and sister-in-law, Cheryl Major Brandon. She is also survived by her five grandchildren, Marlee Rose, Jackson, Brooke, Shaundra and Bria; her three great-grandchildren, Jordan, Anthony and A'Niya; as well as a multitude of other family members including aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins and last but certainly not least, a plethora of friends and colleagues will also remember Helen and her sweet and loving spirit.