Helen Louise Henry, age 82, of Washington Courthouse, OH, passed away on April 6, 2024 at Mt. Carmel East Hospital. She was born on March 30, 1942 and was one of five children born to the late Nellie Mae and Willie Burton.

She is preceded in death by her late parents; husband, Donald Henry Sr; son, Donald Henry Jr; siblings, Florida, Bill , Floriella, and Eileen (Dot.) She is survived by Daughter, April (BJ) Boyer; granddaughter, Andria (Mike Marshall) Henry; great-grandson, Landon Henry; great-grandaughter, Cloie; two grandsons, many nieces, nephews, family and friends that she loved so much.

I can't speak to what kind of child my Grandma was. I don't know if she ever skipped school, or had straight A's, or what table she sat at at lunchtime. I know at some point in her early teen years she met my Grandpa Don and fell in love. It ended up being that special, once in a lifetime kind of love that would never, ever fade. Even after he left this world to go to Heaven, her heart would remain his. I don't know what her days and nights consisted of in her 20's. I'm sure raising my Dad took up most of her time and attention because her love for him was beyond measure.

I have found that same love with my son and I know it is fierce, and all consuming. I do know that my Dad was rambunctious and put her "Boy-Mom" skills to the test. A test she never failed. She loved him with that same Mama Bear ferocity until the day she had to say a final goodbye to her only son. Thereafter, she held that love and the memories of him in her heart forever.

While I don't know much about her adolescent years, I know all about her Grandma years. The day I was born, she dropped everything and rushed home from her Florida vacation to be with me, and see me, and hold me for the first time. I know that she was the best Grandma the world has ever known. She was the Grandma that hosted every holiday meal and would wake up in the middle of the night to cook giant feasts for our family and extended family. Everything was always delicious, and perfect, and expertly timed. She went all out every Christmas with gifts, and cards for everyone, and the decorations were always amazing. The buffet that spanned the dining room showcased the "Christmas village," with the big white church and little stained glass windows all lit up. The tree was always beautifully trimmed and accented with gold. I remember her saying that my Grandpa always loved how she decorated for Christmas and that it was important to him. Long after he passed she carried out that tradition in his honor.

I couldn't fully appreciate all that effort and attention to detail as a child but those holiday gatherings have always been some of my best and most comforting childhood memories. She hosted all my Birthday parties. They were ALWAYS at Grandmas house, and also, always perfect. I spent a lot of time growing up at Grandmas house. We spent our Fridays eating pizza and watching TGIF, then I would grumble as the funny shows went off and Grandma would insist on watching 20/20. I would always fall asleep on the couch on Friday nights and at some point in the middle of the night I would find my way into Grandmas room. I slept in Grandmas room even though she said I turned like a clock in my sleep. I slept in Grandmas room (probably when I was too old to still be sleeping with Grandma) because she always made me feel safe. She didn't even have to do anything. Just her presence made me feel safe.

She was a Sunday School teacher at Frebis Ave Church of God and on Sundays she would always struggle to wake me up and have to tell me multiple times, "Get up Little Bear, brush your teeth and wash your face!" She had a seemingly endless supply of tights for me that I would always poke holes in because I hated putting them on, and hated wearing them even more. After all the hassles of waking up and getting dressed in our Sunday best we would pick Grandma Burton up in the old Grand Prix and we would go to Tee Jayes on Parsons for breakfast. Then off to church. Her backyard at the house I grew up in on Reeb ave was always beautiful, with flowers everywhere and the little courtyard in the middle.

She always had pets. Cats, dogs, sometimes both. She loved her animals so,so much and in her later years they brought her so much joy, and love, and companionship. Her most recent pets Nora, Shadow, and Libby loved her just as much as she loved them. Libby even saved her life once. She woke Grandma up in the middle of the night when her sugar was dangerously low. (Grandma would have wanted me to tell that story.) As much as she loved her pets, she loved her family even more. She would always be there to help or listen or hug or support, offer love, money, time, whatever she could.

She was the strongest, most independent, willful women I've ever known.

She was a caregiver.

She was an amazing cook.

She loved scary movies and a good mystery, but hated that they always had too many swear words!!! And you DON'T NEED ALL THOSE SWEAR WORDS!!!

She couldn't stand foreign films with sub-titles or bad dubbing.

She listened to the tv with the volume all the way up.

When I was a kid she loved shopping. My Grandpa Don used to call her Hotwheels because she was always zipping around somewhere.

She loved purple, and lavender, and lilac.

She liked the thrift store and finding good deals.

She collected tea-pots.

She had to have extra sauce on her pasta,and extra lemon in her water.

She loved doing crossword puzzles.

She bought books of stamps all the time and would sit at her little kitchen table, petting Shadow, drinking coffee, and mailing off all the things.

She made THE best pot roast, THE best macaroni and cheese, THE best birthday cake, the best everything.

She was just THE best, at everything.

She wanted to live to be 100.

I wish she could have.

I never thought I would have to learn to live without her.

I love you, a bushel and a peck.

She will be forever loved and missed.

Time of service will be on Saturday, May 4, 2024, starting promptly at 2:00P.M. Arrangements have been entrusted to the O.R. WOODYARD CO. 1346 S. High St, Columbus, OH 43207.

Her nephew Roger Henry was very special to her and will be officiating.

Her Granddaughter Andria Henry would like for anyone that has pictures and memories of Helen to share to please do so at the service as it is intended to be a celebration of the beautiful life she lived and to remember the unconditional love she had for her family.