Obituary of Helen Horn

Ecclesiastes 3:1-4--- To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven: A time to be born end e time to die; a time to plant, end e time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to ii//, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance At 93 years old, Helen Horn departed this earthly realm and stepped into glory to receive her eternal reward. A prayer warrior, a loving mother and grandmother, a beloved wife, a two-time cancer survivor, a nurtures to many, a church Mother, an Aunt/Auntie by blood-kin and by love connections, a Sister in Christ, and a generous giver to those in need, I Mother Helen Horn was many things to many people and was a woman who loved God and people. Helen Horn was born in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, the second child and oldest daughter to Aurelia Walker who named her Ellen Lorene Tryphena Wa\ker. At a young age, the fami\y moved to the smatl city of Petersburg, Virginia. Their residence on Gladstone Street was one where there was an abundance of people, good food, and love. There were 13 children in that household. Helen's mother had 3 children of her own and she cared for 10 orphaned children in the family. They were cousins but raised like sisters and brothers. The story is told that when Helen's Nother (affectionately catted Noa Auretia or Miss ’Relia) cooked, the neighborhood ate. In this environment of Love and caring for others, Eaten Lorene aka Mother Helen Horn was nurtured When she entered the Petersburg. VA school system. Ellen asserted her authority and staned using the name, Helen Lorene Walker on all her official papers. Friends and family from Virginia nicknamed her“Lo" or called her Lorene. (Her New York family calls her Helen.) She attended Petersburg Public Schools and was baptized at Good Shepherd Baptist Church where she served in various capacities. She married James "lkkie Bar” Edmonds and from that union, her only child, Joyce, was born. Helen he\d several jobs in Petersburg at Fort Lee and in Walnut Hill and Colonial Heights areas. Helen was an exce\lent cook and was an entrepreneur and owner of a restaurant called Ikkie's Diner for about five years. Difficult times came, her restaurant business folded, and her first marriage ended. Because it was hard for her to find work at that time in the Jim Crow South, her Mother encouraged her to move to Amityville, New York with cousins, Roben Fields and his wife, Edith to find work. After moving to Amityvitle and working two or three part-time jobs with no benefits, Helen was hired at Pilgrim State Hospital ano her life begin to change for the better. She started living with Barbara and Joe Archer and a connection with the Archer family deve\oped that still goes on to this day. She joined Hollywood Baptist Church and met friends, learned about the Lord and the power of tithing, and the rest is a rich history of God's blessings. At Pilgrim State Hospital she excelled at her job and was promoted or received commendations for her work several times. She completed the cenification for giving medications and moved up the granddaughter, Tiffany Michele Jones of Columbia, Maryland, a cherished grandson, Eddie A. Jones, Jr (Charcia) from Los Angeles, California, the joy of her life, next to Jesus, great-grandson, Caleb Eddie Jones of Columbia, Maryland. Hother Horn also leaves two loving spiritual granddaughters, Alfrenena Cooper of Severn, Naryland and Nia Gooding of I'4assapequa, New York. She leaves behind Sisters-in-Love and former travel buddies in their younger years, Dr. Antrynette Walker Hallof Houston, Texas and Edith Fields Bryant of Dover, Delaware. A cousin, like a sister, Shirley Fogle of Bronx, New York is also left to remember“Lo”with love. Robert Horn from South Carolina, Mr. Edward Horn's youngest son, called Mother Helen every Sunday for the last 10 years and will cherish the memories, jokes, fellowship and words of encouragement that they shared. Mother Helen Horn leaves many nieces and nephews to cherish memories of her love, generosity, encouragement and good times together. She is known as Auntie to her nieces and nephews in Virginia and Aunt Helen to her nieces and nephews in New York. Her nieces are: Evonne Starke (Russell) of Petersburg, Virginia, Dr. Tracy Kirkland (Robert) of Houston, Texas, Sabrina Starke of Columbia, South Carolina, Rochelle Archer of Amityville, New York, Angela Archer from New York and Laureen Shanager of Schenectady, New York. Her nephews are James L. Walker, Ronnie Starke, and Kerwin Starke (Gloria)- all from Petersburg, Virginia, Joseph Paris (Nafeasia) from Nassapequa, New York and Jeffrey Archer of Amityville, New York. Helen Horn's circle of love who will cherish her memory includes great and great-great nieces and nephews, a host of cousins, friends, neighbors, prayer-line family, and devoted church family at the Hollywood FullGospel Baptist Cathedral, Amityville, New York, and Hope Christian Church, Beltsville, ND. Mother Helen Horn has a phenomenal legacy of joyous living, good times, loving, praying and praising God. As 2 Timothy 4:7 states, "/ have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith.” Mother Horn's last words to her family, "God is a good God.” Glory to God for her life and her legacy!