Helen Thornton Wesley

Helen Thornton Wesley passed away in Baton Rouge on Saturday, April 17, 2010, at age 86. She was born in Smithdale, Miss., and moved to Baton Rouge in 1945 with her husband after his tour of duty in the Pacific Theater. She was a devoted member of Parkview Baptist Church, the Dorcas Sunday school class, Order of the Eastern Star Istrouma Chapter 162 and Mars Hill School Alumni Association. She was a homemaker and medical office manager, and an avid LSU fan. She was devoted to her children and grandchildren. She is survived by daughters, Sheryl Wesley Campbell and husband Robert, and Karen Wesley Holden and husband Glenn; and grandchildren, Melisse Campbell, all of Baton Rouge, Stephanie Holden, of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Brandon Holden and wife Jamie, of Austin, Texas, and Natalie Holden, of San Francisco, Calif. She is also survived by four of her six sisters, Grace Scruggs, of Memphis, Tenn., Edna Etheridge and Jet Etheridge, both of McComb, Miss., and Glenda Smith, of Nashville, Tenn.; and sister-in-law, Doris Deas, of Gulfport, Miss. She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, James Edward Wesley; father, Edgar Eugene Thornton, who was of Smithdale; mother, Ottie Lee Burr Thornton Simmons, who was of McComb; stepfather, Judge Hansford Leggett Simmons, who was of McComb; father-in-law, James Washington Wesley, who was of Baton Rouge; mother-in-law, Lucille Wascom Wesley, who was of Baton Rouge; stepfather-in-law, Rivers Bunch Henagan, who was of Baton Rouge; sisters, Myrtle Murray, who was of Baton Rouge, Audrey Freeman, who was of Gulfport; and brother, Alton C. Thornton, who was of Smithdale. The family wishes to extend sincere appreciation to her loving caregiver Caroline Jones, Dr. Kirk Mullins, Dr. Mark Kantrow, Hospice in His Care, Lakewood Quarters Assisted Living, Med Pass, Hospice Associates, the Dorcas Sunday school class, The Stradleys Sunday School Class, the Rev. Merlin Liverman and her loved ones and friends who faithfully visited her. Visiting at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St., on Monday, April 19, was from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Visiting resumes at the funeral home chapel Tuesday, April 20, from 9 a.m. until religious service at 10 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Ron Tyndale Interment to follow at Greenoaks Memorial Park, 9595 Florida Blvd. Pallbearers will be Robert Campbell, Glenn Holden, Brandon Holden, Harold W. Murray, James Lee Wallace, Bill Stephenson, Morrie Eisenberg and Lee Chastant.