Helen Pettigrew Govan departed this life on September 12, 2025. She was born on December 10, 1923, to Jasper Pettigrew and Martha Dixon Pettigrew.

Helen attended Campbell County schools and graduated from Dunbar High School in Lynchburg, VA. She joined Mt. Peeler Baptist Church at an early age and faithfully attended until 2023. She was faithful in giving her tithes. Helen worked at various jobs, she worked at Mary Bethune Daycare, also as a security guard, and she retired from BWXT.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Clarence Govan; son, Michael Gwaltney; her grandson, Christopher Gwaltney; and her granddaughter, April Gwaltney.

Those left to cherish Helen's memories are her son, Jack Gwaltney, Jr.; her granddaughters, Angel Hairston of Clarksburg, MD, Patricia Whitley of Wilmington, DE, Michelle Gwaltney of Virginia Beach, VA, and Michelle Gwaltney Jones of Bronx, NY; 11 great-grandchildren; 6 nieces; 1 grandson, Michael Gwaltney, Jr.; and 2 nephews.

A homegoing celebration will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at Mt. Peeler Baptist Church. Interment will be in the Archer Creek Cemetery. Service of comfort rendered by Davis-Turner Funeral Service.