Helen L Wilber

Helen Lorraine Fail Wilber – age 91, passed into her eternal home on Monday, July 11, 2011. Mrs. Wilber was born in Chicago, IL and moved from Montana with her husband and infant daughter to Mobile in 1938, where she had resided since. Currently a member of Forest Hill United Methodist Church, Mrs. Wilber was also a long time active member of Whistler United Methodist Church. At various times over the years, she enjoyed teaching Sunday School, working with youth groups, Choir, United Methodist Women activities, working with the Board of the Mobile Inner City Mission, and ringing the bell for the Salvation Army. She was a lifetime member of the North Side Salvation Army Board and was a member of the Board of the USA Wesley Foundation. Mrs. Wilber attended the Alabama West Florida Conferences for over 20 years and served on the committee for History and Archives for many years. She was recognized as a nominee for the Denman Award at the 2001 annual conference. After many full time years as homemaker, Mrs. Wilber, then Mrs. Fail, went to work in the children’s department of Hammel’s Department Store in Mobile where she took great pleasure in serving her customers. She worked there for over 20 years and later retired from Holmes Department Store in the mall. Mrs. Wilber was preceded in death in 1970 by her husband of 34 years, Mr. Cedric E. Fail, Sr., with whom she had ten children, including twin boys, Edward and John, who died shortly after birth; by her second husband, Mr. Alfred D. Wilber in 1982; her parents, Ruby and John Daniel; step-father, John Allen; her brother, Johnny; stepdaughter, LaDell Wilber Platt; and several step-brothers. She will be so dearly missed by her eight surviving children: Helen Dykes (Billy) of Foley, AL, Verna Chesser of Mobile, Mary Davis (William) of Tyler, TX, George Fail Brett of Rochester, MN, Reverend Charles Fail (Becky) of Mobile, Ronald Patrick Fail (Risa) of St. Mary, KS, Cedric E. Fail, Jr. (Gloria) of Mobile, Elizabeth Gates (Ken) of Daphne; 13 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces and nephews. Mrs. Wilber is also remembered by her four surviving step-children and their families: Harry Wilber (Louise) of Mobile, David Wilber (Marty) of Glen Burie, MD, Michael Wilber (Renee) of Auburn, AL, Diana Begue (Brian) of Foley, AL. The family extends their appreciation to the caregivers of Providence Hospital, Cogburn West Health Care Facility, and to the Mobile Infirmary Hospice. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Forest Hill United Methodist Church on Wednesday, July 13, 2011, at 11 a.m. with Reverend Jean Smith officiating. Visitation will be held at Radney Funeral home on Dauphin Street on Tuesday, July 12, from 6-8 p.m. and at the church on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the service hour. Interment will be in Mobile Memorial Gardens.