Helen Walton Birdwell, Carthage, 94, was born April 17, 1930 and passed away on February 26, 2025, five days after the death of her husband and companion of 73 years, Walter Glenn Birdwell, Jr. Helen was the daughter of Edward S. and Fan Roberts Walton.
She is survived by her three children, Sue Ishee (Jerry) of Nashville, Walter Glenn “Birdy” (Christie) Birdwell, III Sparta, and Ann Dobson (Matt) of Franklin. Additionally, she is survived by her two beloved grandchildren, Matthew Hughes Dobson VI of New York, NY and Walter Birdwell Dobson of Nashville.
Helen loved her family, church, schools, community, co-workers, and friends.
Helen grew up in Johnson City, Tennessee where she attended Science Hill High School. She continued her education at Ward Belmont, graduated with honors from Vanderbilt University in 1952, and did graduate work at Peabody College, East Tennessee State University, and Tennessee Tech.
In 1952, Helen married Walter Glenn Birdwell, Jr. (Wally) and taught school in Atlanta while he was stationed at Ft McPherson Army base.
In 1954, Helen and Wally moved to Nashville and later to Carthage where Wally joined his father at Citizens Bank. They joined the Carthage United Methodist Church. Helen was active in the United Methodist Women, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, PTA, Home Demonstration Club, taught Sunday School, and Bible School. She was the ballet teacher for many years while hand sewing costumes for recitals. She taught county-wide swimming lessons and recruited many Carthage volunteers to help.
She returned to teaching in the Smith County School system and later joined her husband at Citizens Bank as a trainer and community representative. Helen served on the Smith County Help Center and Historical Society boards. Wally and Helen traveled with their daughter, Sue, to Haiti to volunteer at the hospital and schools built by Promise for Haiti, Inc.
At age 65, Helen took up painting with the Cumberland Art Society. She enjoyed snow skiing, traveling, and spending time at Center Hill Lake.
Helen was joy. She was a lover of nature and saw beauty everywhere. She thought in poetry. She had a contagious enthusiasm for everything and a cleaver wit.
Funeral services will be held for both Helen and Wally at Carthage United Methodist Church on Friday, February 28, 2025 at 1PM. Interment will follow in the Ridgewood Cemetery.
Visitation with the family will be in the Fellowship Hall of the Carthage United Methodist Church on Friday from 11AM until service time at 1PM.
The family would like to thank the devoted team that cared for Helen and Wally in their last years. You are our angels.
Helen asked that memorial gifts be made to Carthage United Methodist Church or Promise for Haiti, Inc.
