On November 4, 1930, Mary Helena Reed, the middle child of three children, was born to the late James Reed and Geneva Turner Reed in Baltimore, MD. After the death of her parents, Helena was raised, along with her two siblings by grandparents, the late Norman and the late Elizabeth "Sue" Turner.

Helena received her formal education at Carver High School. She confessed her faith in Christ at an early age and became a member of Mt. Shiloh Baptist Church, Spout Spring, VA and was an active member in several auxiliaries in the church. Until her failing health, she was a faithful member of the Deaconess Board, Willing Workers Ministry, Food Committee and attended Sunday school regularly. Helena served as church musician for over 40 years and pianist for several churches in the Appomattox area. Because of her love for children and music, she organized the Mt. Shiloh Junior Choir. She was a member and attended the Central Virginia Area Aging Senior Citizens' group in Appomattox, VA and enjoyed the fellowship with the other seniors.

Helena was first and foremost a virtuous woman of God. She was loved and admired by many for her loving smile and ways. Helena was always willing to help in the Church. "Aunt Lean" as she was called, by her nieces and nephews, was a second mother to each of her two siblings' children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and she loved this honor that was bestowed upon her.

On August 18, 2015, Helena returned to her heavenly Father's arms with her two nieces by her side. In Heaven, she joins our Father, her parents; grandparents and the following siblings who preceded her in death; James Reed, Sr. and Margaret Reed Ferguson; a niece, Katie Lavonne Reed and a nephew, James Reed, Jr. and a loving aunt, Josephine Turner Harvey.

The family wishes to thank the administration and staff of Heartland Nursing Facility, The Doctors and Nurses and the staff of MIC Unit at Lynchburg General Hospital, her at-home care givers, Machelle Harvey and Zipporah "Zippy" Johnson of Spout Spring, VA for their excellent care of Helena.

She is survived by two nieces, Rowena F. Robinson (Stewart) of Concord, VA and Geneva R. Napier (Carl) of Lynchburg, VA that diligently cared for her during her stay at Heartland Nursing Facility, Lynchburg, VA; a devoted nephew, Manley Ferguson, Jr. (Vanessa), of Concord, VA; five great nieces, Charlene R. Ragins (Darrell), of Lorton, VA; Lequetta R. Hayes of Madison Heights, VA; Dr. Kristy R. Robinson, of Lynchburg, VA; Honorable Judge Karen R. Robinson of Alexandria, VA and Denise S. Ferguson, of Concord, VA; three great nephews, Manley Ferguson, III (Shanta), of Lynchburg, VA, James R. Reed, III, of Spout Spring, VA and Ra Osolage, of Newport News, VA; a great-great niece and great-great nephew, Darah Ragins and Myles Ragins, of Lorton, VA; a brother-in-law, Manley Ferguson, Sr., of Concord, VA; a niece-in-law, Darlene F. Reed, of Spout Springs, VA; special cousins, Lt. Colonel (Ret.) Alton Reed (Joyce) of Concord, VA, Barbara Jean Haskins (Thomas) of Duncanville, TX, James "Jimmy" Fuller (Catherine) of Lynchburg, VA, Charlene R. Phillips, Carolyn R. Books, of Elkridge, MD and Geraldine R. Neville of Buffalo, New York; special friends, Daisy M. Watkins, Anna and Arnold Fleshman, Arnold Fleshman, Jr., Ronald Fleshman, Sr. and a host of other cousins, relatives and friends.