Helen Edwards

Helen Meigs Edwards

Born October 31, 1941, in Selma, AL, she passed away on November 18, 2022, at her home in Selma, surrounded by her family.

Helen is preceded in death by infant twin daughters; her parents, Myrtle Oakes Meigs and Willie Fulton Meigs, grandparents, John Mike and Jennie Suther Oakes and Willie William and Nora Hunt Meigs.

She is survived forever and always by her loving and devoted husband of 60 years, Russell Earl Edwards; son, Fulton Derrick Edwards (Susan), River Falls, WI; daughter Rev. Misty Edwards Barrett (Jimbo), Headland, AL; grandson, Meigs Gary Roberts, her step-granddaughters, Payton Arkuszeski (Drew) and Caroline Barrett; step-great-grandchildren, Wesson and Adley Arkuszeski; aunt, Rosanell Thompson Oakes and her cousins, Jan Coton (Gary), Mike Oakes, Hope Holt (Barry), Allen Oakes (Becky), and Joy Lewellen (Gary).

Helen was a 1959 Graduate of A. G. Parrish High School and attended Birmingham Southern College.

Helen was a lifelong member of Church Street United Methodist Church, where she served on the Administrative Board and was the first female Chairperson of that Board. Throughout the years, she was a member of the SPPR, Trustees, and Finance committees. She was a faithful member of the Pairs and Spares Sunday school class and was a lay delegate to the Annual Conference.

Beyond Church Street United Methodist Church, she served the Montgomery/Prattville District of the Alabama-West Florida Conference as Chairperson of the CORE team, District delegate to the Annual Conference, and District Director of Lay Speaking.

Within the Alabama-West Florida Conference, she served as a member of the Bishop’s CORE Team, Board of Laity, Board of Discipleship, Member, and Secretary for the Board of Trustees, The Episcopal Committee, and, for eight years, as the Conference Director of Lay (Speaking) Servant Ministries. She was presented with the Alice Lee award by COSROW and the Susanne Wesley Award by the United Methodist Men for outstanding and distinguished work and service in the Alabama-West Florida Conference.

Helen also served in the Southeastern Jurisdiction (SEJ) of the UMC as a reserve delegate to General Conference, and for four years, she was President of the Association of Lay (Speaking) Servant Ministries of the Southeastern Jurisdiction.

For 32 years, Helen worked in Selma, Dallas County, and the Southern Triangle Chapter with the March of Dimes. First as a volunteer, then as the Director, and later finishing her career as the Executive Director. “Helping babies be born healthy” was her passion and calling. She loved serving her community in many ways, including being a member and President of the Board of SABRA Sanctuary and Habitat for Humanity.

Visitation will be from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, on Monday, November 21, 2022, at Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home in Selma. The funeral service will be at Church Street United Methodist Church, 214 Church Street, Selma, AL., on Tuesday, November 22, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Diane Everette, Rev. Steve Kopp, and Dr. Larry Bryars Officiating. Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Pallbearers will be  Mike Oakes, Barry Holt, Chase Utsey, Hardin Utsey, Holt Utsey and Leslie Nelson. Members of her Sunday School Class, “Pairs and Spares,” at Church Street United Methodist Church will be honorary pallbearers.

Remembrances can be made to the charity or organization of your choice.