October 5, 1944 – January 12, 2018
Helene Poythress Bohannon, 73 of Atlanta, passed peacefully in the early hours of January 12, 2018. She was born in Birmingham, AL to Betty Jane Poythress and Norman Godfrey Poythress.
Helene graduated in 1966 from the school of Home Economics at Auburn University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Clothing and Textiles. She was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and met her husband Tom while attending Auburn. She and Tom were football season ticket holders for over 20 years and enjoyed tailgating with their close school friends and cheering for their Tigers. War Eagle!
While Tom obtained his master’s degree at Tulane, Helene served as a social worker in the parishes of New Orleans. Her nature of caring for others continued throughout her life, as she embraced and loved so many as if they were family. She firmly believed that “friends are the family you choose for yourself”. With a vast collection of angel figurines and décor, Helene herself was thought of by many as an angel on earth. We are all assured of her special place in heaven and are confident she is being fitted for her own wings.
She has been an active member of The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Atlanta since 1973, and involved in the Good Shepherd Women’s Circle. A two-time kidney transplant recipient, she walked with her daughter Brooke multiple times in the East Tennessee Kidney Walk to raise money for dialysis patients.
She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Thomas Joe Bohannon; her daughter Brooke Bohannon
Blume of Gainesville, GA and her husband Todd Blume; former son-in-law Scott Schwahn of Oak Ridge, Tn and Brooke and Scott’s children Stephen Schwahn, Victoria Schwahn, Elliott Schwahn and his fiancée Caitlin Fuselier; son Bruce Bohannon of Atlanta, GA and his fiancée Wendy Allen; son Matthew Bohannon of Atlanta, GA and his children Jacob and Courtney Bohannon; brother Norman Poythress and his wife Svetlana of Temple Terrace, FL; and brother in law Donald Bohannon and his wife Bettie of Gainesville, FL; and countless friends and relatives.
The family would like to express their sincerest thanks to the palliative care team at St. Joseph’s hospital and the staff at Halcyon Home and Inpatient Hospice for their caring spirit in Helene’s final days.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 19, 2018 at 11 AM at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 731 Peachtree St, Atlanta, GA 30308. The family will receive visitors beginning at 10 AM and a reception will follow the service in the church atrium.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Helene’s honor to the East Tennessee Kidney Foundation transportation fund. www.etkidney.org or by mail at PO Box 22072, Knoxville, TN 37933.
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