Helen E. Vallandingham

Helen E. Williams Vallandingham was born to Earnest J. and Ollie L. Williams, March 8, 1917, in Shawnee, Oklahoma. She was the great-granddaughter of James Harvey Grove, Founder of Grove Elementary School. She died June 29, 2016 at the age of 99. After graduating from high school, Helen attended Cheatham’s Business College where she was a member of Phi Rho Zeta sorority. She worked in the office of the historic Aldridge Hotel as a desk clerk. Later she worked as a registered Medical Technologist at Shawnee City Hospital and was a member of the American Association of Medical Personnel. Helen married the Reverend James M. Vallandingham on March 27, 1953 in Meeker, Oklahoma and became a devoted stepmother to Richard Robert Vallandingham, who was then four years old. The couple moved to Tulsa where they resided for 25 years. She was active at the First Baptist Church of Tulsa in the Baptist Women’s group. She worked in real estate as a Realtor, a Broker, and as the owner of “Helen Val Realty” in both Tulsa and then Shawnee, when she and Jim relocated in 1975. She was a member of the University Baptist Church for many years and served both in Sunday School and Women on Mission/WMU. She was an accomplished seamstress and pianist, and played piano at the Shawnee Senior Center for over ten years. She also played piano every summer at the Grove Family Reunion, held at the Grove school. Survivors include her stepson, Richard (Dick) Vallandingham, daughter in law, Angela Elliott, two grandchildren, Jim (Bethany) Vallandingham, Emmy (Chris) Jedras, two great-grandchildren, Zia and Eli Vallandingham, several nephews and a niece, and many cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her brothers E.W. “Buddy” and James S. Williams. At the time of her death, Helen was a resident of the Shawnee Care Center where she had lived and thrived for almost 8 years. She enjoyed playing bingo, coffee chats, and attending Sunday school taught by her dear friend, Bill Malone. The family would like to express their deep gratitude and thanks to Mary Ann Jones, a long time neighbor and close friend as well as to Terry Nicely and the staff of the Shawnee Care Center for their deep and abiding care and love for Helen. Services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 2 at Walker Funeral Service chapel with Dr. Steve Dominy officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery under the direction of Walker Funeral Service. The family has designated the Grove School Library as appropriate for memorials. Gifts may be sent to Grove Family Account, 302 W. Lakeview, Tecumseh, OK 74873.