Helen J. Pearce

Helen Jones Pearce, age 92, graduated peacefully from this world to the next on January 4th, presumably because Heaven needed someone to run Bingo games, play Phase 10, and make chicken salad for everyone.

Born on April 11, 1932, in Dunn, Helen was known for her cooking skills, love of Bingo, word puzzle prowess, and passion for playing cards. Her ability to cheat and win was legendary! As she aged, her ability to filter her thoughts declined. She lived nearly five years with her son Mike and his wife Sharon in an over-55 community. She described everyone there as “old men and women,” yet she was the second oldest person in the neighborhood!

Helen and her sisters shared a close-knit relationship, speaking once or twice a day. When the “sisters” were together, the laughter was full and boisterous, and the gossip was rampant.

Helen retired from the state at age 52 after a 33-year career at Dorothea Dix Hospital, where she earned the prestigious Psychiatric Aide Award. Her citation read:

“Devotion, skill, imagination, initiative, and citizenship caused her to be selected by her associates as most representative of the collective advancements rendered by Psychiatric Aides in their services to patients at the Dorothea Dix Hospital and which qualified her to receive recognition for outstanding contributions in the care of the mentally ill and handicapped.”

She loved her job but was also ready to retire.

Helen cherished her grandchildren and was deeply involved in their lives. Her twin granddaughters, Michelle and Danielle, either lived with her or spent significant time with her at varying times. Danielle lived with her for nearly six months while in college and fondly recalled Granny cooking breakfast every morning and asking what she wanted for supper. Michelle, attending ECU, often spent weekends with Granny, who ensured the twins were well-fed, loved, and cared for. Helen’s grandson Brian was her pride and joy; she often exclaimed he was the most handsome man she had ever seen. In her younger years, Helen would cook Sunday dinners for the family, ensuring everyone “ate like fattening hogs” before napping on her couch.

In her last five years with Mike and Sharon, Helen enjoyed new experiences, including air travel to Minnesota and Wisconsin to visit the twins, attending Sip & Paint classes, wine tastings, fine dining, and even a cruise she initially resisted but cried when disembarking. She found joy in activities like women’s luncheons, monthly Bingo games, community gardening, and seasonal decorating of a year-round Christmas tree.

Helen’s greatest delight was the birth of her great-granddaughter, Madison, with whom she spent two of her final six weeks. Madison’s smile lit up Helen’s days and the two shared nightly FaceTime calls. Helen proudly watched Madison’s photos on the Alexa beside her chair, refusing to move for fear of missing a new picture.

Helen’s loyal companion, Peanut, a Chihuahua mix, was always by her side. Peanut enjoyed fresh chicken breast prepared twice daily, lovingly called by Helen: “Nana has your chicken.” Peanut has been searching for Helen since her passing, often wandering to her room.

Helen stayed busy doing what she loved most—caring for people and loved ones. Sharon will miss her as the family’s laundry and dishwashing duties now fall back to them. Brett, nearly 40 years old, may finally have to start doing his laundry himself.

The family wishes to thank Diane Davison, a nurse and neighbor, for her consistent care and support, as well as Helen’s physical therapist, Latoya Galberth, who pushed Helen to climb stairs at the twins’ homes during Christmas. Helen, Latoya’s favorite patient, even became a celebrity, with her photo appearing in promotional materials.

Helen is survived by her son, Michael Pearce, and his wife, Sharon, of Garner, NC; her daughter, Vickie, and husband, Buster Ball, of Youngsville, NC; and four grandchildren: Brian Ball (Nicole) of Youngsville, Michelle Brekken (Grant) of Hudson, Wisconsin, Danielle Bowman (Wyatt) of Lakeville, Minnesota, and Brett Pearce of Garner. She also leaves behind four great-grandchildren: Rylan and Landon Ball of Youngsville, Emma Kate Brekken in heaven, and Madison Brekken of Hudson, Wisconsin. Helen is also survived by her “crazy” sisters: Betty Lawrence of Garner, Mildred Harris of Beaufort, NC, Sarah Fish of Raleigh, and Jeanette Seefeldt of Fayetteville.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Jamie Yates Jones and Alma Ida Woolard Jones; siblings Clara Wray, Millard Jones, J.Y. Jones, Fay Rogers, and Linda Fuller; and her great-granddaughter, Emma Kate Brekken, who Helen is now making smile in Heaven.

Instead of a funeral, there will be a celebration of life filled with laughter and embarrassing family stories. In lieu of flowers, please honor Helen’s memory by calling a loved one or donating to Halos of St. Croix Valley, an organization that supports bereaved parents in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Helen may be gone, but her love, wit, and zest for life remain with us. Rest easy, Helen—your legacy is well in hand, though we’ll never forgive you for taking the chicken salad recipe with you.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 12, at 1 p.m. at Strickland Funeral Home in Louisburg, NC, with a service in the chapel at 2 p.m. A graveside service will follow in Bunn. Family and friends are welcome to gather afterward at 5 p.m. at the home of Mike and Sharon Pearce, 88 Telluride Trail, Garner, NC.

Arrangements are by Strickland Funeral Home & Crematory, Louisburg, www.stricklandfuneralhome.net.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Helen J. Pearce, please visit our floral store.