Lois Helsel's Obituary
Lois Mayo Ripley Helsel, age 100 went to be with her Lord on Sunday, January 12, 2014, in Gainesville, Florida. She was born in Newberry, Florida on May 16, 1913. Her family moved to Cortez, Florida and then to Miami, Florida where she married Victor M. Ripley at the young age of 15. While in Miami she raised her twin daughters and helped raise five grandchildren. During this time she met and married the love of her life, Walter Helsel. She moved with her mother back to Newberry, Florida in 1974, and eventually relocated to Gainesville where she resided until her death. She was a member of Union Baptist Church in Trenton.
She was preceded in death by her parents James John Wesley Mayo and Martha Ida Ford, her two brothers Ike and Willie, husband Walter Helsel and grandson Steve Veber.
She is survived by her daughters Margaret Veber and Marjorie Barnett; grandchildren Jay Veber (Esther), Rick Veber, Dave Veber (Trudy), Lori Veber, Diane Skelly (Chuck), Darlene Gardner, Vicky Barahona (Miguel); 8 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by her family and her special friends and caretakers at North Florida Rehab and Specialty Care.
Funeral Services will be held Thursday, January 16, 2014 at 11:00 a.m.at Union Baptist Church, 6259 S.E. 75th Avenue, Newberry, Pastor Travis Moody will be officiating. Arrangements are under the care of WILLIAMS-THOMAS FUNERAL HOME WESTAREA, 823 NW 143rd Street. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Union Baptist Church or Hospice of Citrus County of the Nature Coast.
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