Helen M. Royal

Helen Matanich Royal of Jacksonville, Florida, passed away peacefully in her home on August 21, 2021. She was 84 years old. Helen was born in Aliquippa, PA on December 26, 1936. In her life, she was a caring daughter and sister, devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother, loyal friend, and self-less caregiver. Helen was an active member of Shepherd’s Fold Church of God, where she worshipped and served the Lord faithfully. Her beautiful smile was a light to all who knew her.

Surviving family members include her son, Franklin E. Simmons; step-daughters, Deborah (Kenny) Jones, and Susanne (Tim) Hayes; brothers, Raymond (Pattey) Bradick, and Nick (Helen) Bradick; brother-in-law, Wesley (Doddie) Royal; nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She is predeceased by her husband, William “Jackson” Royal; sons, John A. Simmons and Michael W. Simmons; mother, Ann Bradick; and her sister, Marilyn Dorsey.

A visitation for Helen will be held Saturday, September 4, 2021 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Hardage-Giddens Chapel Hills Funeral Home, 850 St Johns Bluff Road North, Jacksonville, FL 32225. A funeral service will occur Saturday, September 4, 2021 at 1:00 PM, 850 St Johns Bluff Road North, Jacksonville, FL 32225, with a committal following. A reception will occur Saturday, September 4, 2021 directly after the committal inside the funeral home.