Helen Virginia Ford

"The life given us by nature is short,
but the memory of a well spent life is eternal"

Helen Virginia Rhea Ford (affectionately known as Momma Helen) was born to the late Sylvester and Samuel Rhea on November 14, 1916, Somerville, Tennessee. She was the eldest of three children, two of which preceded her in death. At an early age she committed her life to Christ. An earlier marriage to John McClellan, Sr. produced one son John McClellan, Jr.

Helen had a tremendous and overwhelming compassion for people. During her lifetime she touched the lives of many people with a love that only she could give. One of the last statements she wrote to her family was "I love you all my family, I love you." She leaves this memory to a host of relatives and friends.

She remained a faithful member of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church even throughout her illness. She served on the Senior Missionary Ministry, Nurses Guild and Usher Board. Even when Mrs. Ford was confined to home she continued her Mission work by calling members weekly and reporting her conversation to the Mission President and Pastor. She never said no to anything she was asked to do for the Lord.

She resided in Winter Park, Florida for forty-nine years. She departed this life on May 6, 2003 in Winter Park, Florida.

She leaves precious memories to her son John McClellan, Jr., (Louvella), Jackson, Tennessee, five grand-children; Cynthia Henry (Charles), Orlando, Sandra McClellan, Orlando, Felecia Love (Terry), Atlanta, Georgia, Joseph Manuel (Cynthia), Jackson, Tennessee, Lawanda Baker (Dallase), Nashville, Tennessee and four great grandchildren, Hamish, Melissa, Nygel and Timothy; one niece Barbara Ann Penny, Chicago, Illinois and one nephew John Arthur Rhea, Memphis, Tennessee. Also to cherish her memory are two "special daughters" Jeanelle Rivers, Longwood, Florida and Ashley Maynard, Honolulu, Hawaii.