Helen Jean Landrum

Helen Jean Landrum, 87, passed away  January 27, 2019 at her home in Oakland, Tennessee.  Helen was born to John and Katie Barnett, May 16, 1931, in  Evansville, Indiana. Both parents preceded her in death as did her siblings: Roland, Ruth, Mattie and John. Her husband, Elmer (Sandy) Landrum,  passed away in 2005,  after 25 years of marriage. She then moved to Tennessee to live with her daughter Glenda Alexander and grandson Zakee. Helen is the mother of two daughters; Cynthia Nkana, MD, and Glenda Alexander, Ph.D. She was most proud of their accomplishments and her four grandchildren: Ethan, Enoh, Emmanuel and Zakee. An avid traveler, she traveled throughout the United States, including Alaska, Asia, Africa, Europe, North and South America, and the Caribbean. While in Evansville she was a member of Metropolitan Seventh-Day Adventist church where she served as Church Clerk. After moving to Memphis, TN she was active  in the Memphis First SDA church.  Her responsibilities included organizing  the Women's Ministry Department and two state-wide Women's Conferences. All this was accomplished  at the young age of 80.  Helen was a lifetime member of the NAACP, and served as the secretary of the Evansville branch for many years  and also  president of the women's auxiliary.  She was the first black president of the Evansville Goodwill Women's Auxiliary and served on the Board of Directors. She was also the first president of the neighborhood association, Central City Improvement Association, under Mayor Michael Vandeveer and received many awards for her service.  She departed this life acknowledging she had enjoyed a full and blessed life. However, it cannot compare to the glorious, eternal life that will be ours when Jesus comes to take His children home! Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Sunday, February 3, 2019, at Alexander East Chapel, officiated by Pastor Eric Bell, with burial in Sunset Memorial Park. Friends and family may visit Sunday from 12:00 p.m. until service time at the funeral home. Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderEastChapel.com.