Helen Freeman Henry

Published 5:20 pm Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Helen Freeman Henry passed from this world on October 2, 2024.

She lived a life devoted to family, faith, and service. She upheld the highest and best values of southern traditions, showing kindness and inclusivity to all those around her.

Helen was born March 21, 1937, to Emily Susan Hendrick Freeman and Joseph Claude Freeman in LaGrange, GA. She graduated in 1955 from LaGrange High School. After one year at Wesleyan College she transferred to Emory University and graduated in 1959 with a major in English. She then taught English for two years at Troup County High School before two years at Cross Keys High School in Dekalb County.

In 1960 Helen married George Madison Henry, also of LaGrange. His study at Emory College of Arts and Science and later its School of Medicine would be followed by four more years of postgraduate medical education in Rochester, NY. Then with their 4 sons ages 6 years, 4 years, and 4 ½  months (the last two being identical twins), they lived two years in Bethesda, MD, before George began a faculty position at the medical school of the University of Kentucky in Lexington. In 1975 the family moved to Macon, GA, where George began fulltime practice of psychiatry, and Helen focused on family life and full engagement in church, friends, community and a deep commitment to service. 

When their twins were in seventh grade, Helen committed to the ministry, beginning a three-year course of study that eventuated in a Master of Divinity degree from Emory’s Candler School of Theology.

This gave rise to Helen’s long and vital career as a United Methodist minister. In most of her appointments, she would be the first woman pastor the churches had ever had. She served in United Methodist (UMC) churches that included Vineville UMC (Macon), Buena Vista UMC, Pleasant Grove UMC (LaGrange), LaGrange First UMC, and Hogansville UMC. Then after formal retirement, she was at small United Methodist churches at Gay and Odessadale, GA.

Thus in 1997 after 35 years living elsewhere Helen had returned to minister through churches within Troup County, and George transferred his psychiatric practice there.

Helen’s sermons and teachings became renowned for illustrations about birds, animals, and other wonders of nature, joyfully reflecting her embodiment of God’s love. She would also become an accomplished landscape painter, depicting her beloved Troup County family’s property and other natural scenes of beauty.

In addition, she delighted in the musical endeavors of her husband and sons, sharing their lifelong love of playing and appreciating music.

Helen and her husband George were married for 64 years. Their sons and daughters-in-law are George Henry Jr., Jeff and Mary Lisa Henry, Edward (Ned) and Allison Henry, and David and Mollie Henry. Their eight grandchildren are Nathaniel Henry, Mary Katherine (Nathan Dunn) Henry, Daniel Henry, Joseph (Sonoe) Henry, Madison Henry, Noah Henry, Kate Henry, and Alexander Henry. Through endless encouragement and beautifully chosen words, Helen taught each of them how deeply to love each other and the world around them. They all will miss her greatly.

She also is survived by nieces Ellen Freeman (John) Wible, Emily Freeman (Clark) Barrow, and MaryLark Henry (Brent) Wilson; and by nephews Joseph (Ali) Freeman III, Reid (Stacey) Freeman, Render (Laura) Freeman, Vance (Khrista) Henry, Edward Kirven, and Gregg Kirven.

A service to celebrate Helen Henry’s life is scheduled for 2:00 PM on Friday, November 1, 2024 in the sanctuary of LaGrange First United Methodist Church.

An opportunity to greet the family will follow in the church’s Fellowship Hall.

Instead of flowers, the family recommends donations in Helen’s memory to LaGrange First United Methodist Church, LaGrange College, or the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra.

Higgins Funeral Home at Hunter Allen Myhand, 706-884-5626.