Helen Gregory

PONTOTOC – Sarah Helen Henderson Gregory, 91, died Friday, Feb. 17, 2012, at the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. Born in Pontotoc on April 5, 1920, to Ruth Corinne Ray Henderson and Jesse Joseph Henderson, Helen was a 1938 graduate of Pontotoc High School. Throughout her years in the Pontotoc schools she studied piano and in junior high organized a youth music club. Helen attended Blue Mountain College and graduated in 1941 with a double major in English and music, with an emphasis in piano. On May 31, 1947 she was married to Andrew Grant Gregory of Amory. In 1964, Helen earned a Master’s degree in Elementary Education at Mississippi State University and later completed advanced graduate coursework in higher education at the University of Mississippi. Helen’s professional career spanned 31 years and was highlighted by the 5 years she taught in the Gulfport Public Schools during World War II, the 10 years she spent teaching first grade at Amory Elementary School, and the 13 years she was an English instructor and Remedial Reading instructor at Southwest Mississippi Community College in Summit. While a teacher in the Amory Public Schools, Helen was elected president of the Amory Teacher’s Association. In 1969, Helen became a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma, a professional honorary society of women educators. While an instructor at the community college Helen served for several years as a dorm director. Helen retired from teaching in 1982 and returned to Pontotoc.

As a 20 year resident of Amory, Helen was a dedicated member of the First Baptist Church where she served as a ladies Sunday School teacher, was a member of the sanctuary choir and the Women’s Missionary Union, and taught in programs for children. Helen was also active in the community as a member of the Amory Musicale, the Fortnightly Culture Club, the Cosmopolitan Club, and a bridge club.

While living in Summit, Helen was a member of the First Baptist Church where she was a member of the sanctuary choir, taught an adult Sunday School class, and taught a church training class.

Upon returning to Pontotoc, Helen was a member of First Baptist Church where she was active in the Women’s Missionary Union and taught the Latham Sunday School class from 1983 through 1999 and the TWL Sunday School class from 2000 to 2001. Helen remained a substitute teacher for several more years. Helen’s community activities included membership in the Pontotoc Hills Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution where she served as Chaplain, Vice-Regent, and Regent, membership in the Pontotoc County Historical Society, membership in two bridge clubs, Friend of the Pontotoc County Library and participation in Rootery. Helen was also a member of the John Taliaferro Chapter of the 17th Century Colonial Dames.

Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday at First Baptist Church of Pontotoc with Dr. Ken Hester and Rev. Grant Gregory officiating. Burial will be at the Pontotoc City Cemetery. Browning Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

She is survived by her brother, Dr. Robert P. (Joyce) Henderson of Jackson, Miss.; her four children: Dr. Linda Gregory Jones of Pontotoc, Steve (Lois) Gregory of Fulton, Rev. Grant (Laura) Gregory of Kosciusko, Joe (Shana) Gregory of Oxford; seven grandchildren: Rob (Katherine) Gregory of Franklin, Tenn., Meg Gregory (Patrick) McManamy of Atlanta, Ga., Alisha Walker (Corey) Hughes of Tupelo, Dr. Starner Jones of Memphis, Tenn., Henderson (Rebecca) Jones of Tupelo, Joni Gregory (Jason) Ingram of Starkville, Janna Gregory (Brandan) Wollfarth of Kosciusko, Jeri Gregory of Kosciusko; and eight great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Joe Ray Henderson, and the father of her children, Andrew Grant Gregory.

Pallbearers will be Rob Gregory, Patrick McManamy, Corey Hughes, Dr. Starner Jones, Jason Ingram, Henderson Jones and Brandan Wollfarth.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Joseph Montgomery, Robert Welch, Shane Crosby, Hunter Patterson, Danny Todd, Jonathan Foster, Josh Wise, and Michael Simon, II.

Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. today at Browning Funeral Home in Pontotoc and from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Monday at First Baptist Church of Pontotoc.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Blue Mountain College, Office of Institutional Advancement, P.O. Box 160, Blue Mountain, MS 38610, or First Baptist Church Pontotoc, 31 Washington Street, Pontotoc, MS 38863.

Condolences may be offered at www.browningpontotoc.com