Helen Gibbs

Helen Gibbs was a strong, hard working woman who was devoted to her family and the things she believed in. She was a free spirit who lived life to its fullest and will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Helen’s story began on December 16, 1921, in Athens, AL, as the third child, but first daughter born to George and Emma (Edgeman) Pressnell. The 1920’s were a time of prohibition and intolerance, speakeasies, flappers, gangsters, and crime in the United States. Known as the Roaring Twenties, this was a time of explosion for the many different flavors of jazz. Racial tensions were high and quotas were set for immigrants coming into America. The Ku Klux Klan was also very active during this time in history.

Helen grew up helping her mother with the eight brothers and sisters that were born after her, often doing her fair share of babysitting. Her father was a share cropper and he even introduced Helen to farming, while her mother stayed home. Helen prided herself on being a thorough cotton picker instead of a “goose picker”, which is someone who leaves a little cotton on the stem to avoid getting pricked. Not Helen, she established her strong work ethic in those fields, driven to do a good job. With so many mouths to feed, Helen left school so that she could work to help support her family.

Athens in many ways is a typical southern town. It is one of the oldest incorporated cities in the State of Alabama, having been incorporated one year prior to the state's admittance to the Union in 1819. Athens was traditionally a cotton and railroad town and in this way, Helen lived a childhood much like others in her small town. Since the local aerospace boom of the 1950s and 1960s, Athens has increasingly entered the orbit of nearby industry center Huntsville as the area's cotton production has steadily declined.

Helen eventually married in Athens and had two children, Rose and Judy with her husband. She had the unfortunate experience, however, of suffering with tuberculosis and was in isolation for 18 months while her children lived with her parents, even attending Helen’s former school.

Helen and her husband later relocated to Grand Rapids, MI for work where they had their third child, Roger and the two later divorced. This series of events led Helen to really focus on her family while still working hard.

One fateful day, Helen routinely dropped off Rose so she could continue to work, when she caught the eye of a man named Lester Gibbs. He wondered who young Rose’s “sister” was and was intrigued when he learned that Rose’s “sister” was actually her mother! It was love at first sight and the two soul mates were married at the Justice of the Peace in 1968.

After the happy couple honeymooned up North and at Niagara Falls, they returned home where they settled into the routines of every day life. Helen and Lester never fought, just argued about things they felt strongly about. He was happy to allow her to “rule” the house.

Helen and Lester created an atmosphere of playfulness in which lifelong memories were created. The kids were allowed to yell into the bullhorn on Lester’s red truck while Helen half-heartedly protested. Helen and Lester were always sharing playful gestures with each other as well, and Lester was content just to let Helen be herself; a secret to lifelong marriage.

Helen and Lester also made sure that their faith was a cornerstone in the life of their family. They attended church twice on Sundays and again on Wednesday evenings.

Helen was dedicated to her family, but she also found time to enjoy some of her own interests. She loved cooking and was famous for her Mexican Wedding Cake and cornbread dressing. True to her southern roots she did a lot of southern cooking until she adapted to the different flavors used in the North.

Helen embraced her role as a grandmother, in addition to that of being a wife and mother. Her home was always the gathering place for the holidays. She loved having her family around her, but also enjoyed the tranquility of the house after everyone had left.

Helen enjoyed shopping with her “twin sister” Marge and traveling with Lester. She and Lester were free spirits together who often left on their travels without telling anyone. They traveled all over Michigan as well as Texas and Florida but always made sure they still had the creature comforts of home.

Helen and Lester were not only partners in marriage, but also in business who built eight investment homes together. They often enjoyed having the structure built and finishing the interior themselves.

Helen was a creature of habit. She loved listening to country music; Ernest Tubbs and Kitty Wells were two of her favorites. She enjoyed listening to Paul Harvey every day at noon. She enjoyed her sausage biscuits and burgers at Mr Burger. Helen was also a creature of habit when it came to politics as she was a proud Democrat.

Helen did have some difficult health situations to overcome, however. She was involved in several car accidents and ten years ago she suffered a head injury. Then just two years ago, Helen incurred a shoulder injury after which her health began rapidly declining. Perhaps as a result of her various injuries, Helen also found herself in the grip of Alzheimer’s over the past few years.

Helen was a country girl at heart who was not afraid of hard work or holding strong to the things she was passionate about, especially her family. She brought just the right balance of fun and discipline to her life and the lives of those she loved. She was a free spirit whose zest for life will live on in the lives of those she leaves behind.

Helen Gibbs, of Grand Rapids died on October 31, 2008. Helen’s family includes her husband, Lester; children, Rose Sutherland, Judy (Ray) Tillotson, and Roger (Lynn) Harris; step- daughters, Eilleen Greg and Kathleen Carson; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister, Bobbi Ann of TN; and brother, Calvin Pressnell of TX.

A celebration of her life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, November 3, 2008 at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes – Alt & Shawmut – Grand Rapids, MI, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. Friends may visit the family from 7-9 PM on Sunday and for one hour prior to the service.

Visit Elizabeth’s family and friends from 7-9 p.m on Sunday, November 2, and for one hour prior to the service.

Please visit Helen’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can share a favorite memory or make a memorial contribution to the charity of your choice.