Ruth Annette Pilson

Oh God, my God, You have taken our beloved mother and sister and we are numb with disbelief. Her clothes still hang in the bedroom closet; her shoes are neatly stacked on the floor. Her presence lingers throughout her new apartment. The many hats she wore, with great distinction, hums with glorious delight, permeating the apartment with her joy and happiness. How quickly you called her, how mercifully. She simply stopped what she was doing and looked up and you were there. Please God, help us to draw nearer to you, thus, bringing us closer to each other.

The hearts of our family have been pierced and are grieved beyond words at the loss of our loved one. Our sorrow is intense and it is with reluctance we record on the confines of this paper her departure from our presence to Glory. It is not easy to let go of one, whom we deeply cherished and loved so completely.

Although we do not understand why, we will not question You, God, but remain subservient to Your Divine will. You know all things and do all things well. You are too wise a God to make a mistake. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

So, let the record reflect that her seat is empty and a giant is gone from our midst, who’s life is deserving of remembrance. We seek not to idealize her above measure or to over exaggerate her importance, because she frowned on hypocrisy. She spoke the truth and so shall we. Although eloquent in thought and demeanor, she lived simply, and, so shall be our words.

Ruth was born in Bassett, Va., at her parent’s home on Sunday, September 03, 1950, three minutes before her identical twin sister, Rhona. She was the sixth of nine children; two boys and seven girls. Her parents, the late Lynn Anderson Helms and Betty Margaret Helms, her sister, Diane Ming, and brother, Joe Louis Helms preceded her in death.

Ruth was educated in the Henry County public school system, receiving her high school diploma from Bassett High School in 1968. She accepted Christ as her personal savior at the early age of ten, and was baptized the same year at the Waterway Holiness church, where she received the precious gift of the Holy Ghost, under the auspices of the late Bishop Wheeler Moyer. She remained a member until the age of 17 when she migrated to Washington, D.C., upon her high school graduation.

As a youngster, Ruth exuded traits of more than ordinary intellectual ability and strength. As she grew older this became even more marked. Her mind was active and well developed, and she had a keen thirst for knowledge. She was a perfectionist, who did everything with meticulous precision and exacting standards. This, no doubt, was attributable, in part, to the structured discipline she received as a youngster.

Ruth was a burst of sunshine, always wearing a smile on her face. She was kind-hearted and loving to all who knew her. Laughter was a major part of her life and primary in her make up. She was a gentle soul, loved by all who knew her. There was no malice in her heart towards anyone. She had the pleasantness of spirit and a positive attitude. She was kind and strong in character. She was free from pride and arrogance. She was humble, a priceless jewel, worth more than rubies.

As youngsters, Ruth and her twin sister were inseparable, when you saw one you saw the other. Ruth was more outspoken than Rhona and loved exchanging identity roles. This role change proved beneficial when exam time came around. The teachers would often say, “I know you are not Rhona, I just can’t prove it.” When Ruth fell and burst her chin, you could finally tell them apart by the stiches she received. Ironically, six days later Rhona fell and bust her chin in the same area, also, requiring stitches. As recent as April of this year, while Rhona was visiting Ruth in Bassett, Ruth persuaded Rhona to enter a friend’s boutique pretending to be her. Ruth walked in a few moments later and laughed hysterically when she saw the astonished look on the proprietor’s face. That was the essence of Ruth!

It wasn’t surprising Ruth and Rhona migrated to the D.C., area together. They lived with their older sister, Carolyn and her husband for a year and then moved to their first apartment on Fitch Street, N.W., D.C for a whopping $75.00 a month. They both acquired employment as waitresses at the Westbrook Restaurant.

One year an engineer was summoned to make electrical repairs. The electrician’s name was Thomas Yelinek. He was very charming, to say the least. Two weeks later he and Ruth eloped. To this union two children were born, Thomas Yelinek, and Tamika Yelinek Williams. In later years, for a brief span, Ruth and her family lived in Denver, Colorado.

In 1979, when Thomas was 9 and Tamika 6, their father fell prey to violence and was shot and killed the day after Thanksgiving. No longer able to survive the big city, Ruth moved back to the safety and comfort of familiar surroundings in Bassett, Virginia. In 1981 another jewel was added to the family, a daughter she named Treasure.

Ruth was a dedicated mother first and foremost. She treasured her children and embraced every moment with them. They were her world. She especially loved her role as “Nana”. Her thirteen (13) grandchildren and three (3) great grands were the source of immeasurable joy.

Ruth was a benevolent and faithful Christian. She did not cast her lot at one church but graced four over the years and gave freely of her many diversified talents. All who knew her in both the private and public sector knew that her devotion to God and her church was paramount in her life. She was multi-talented and well known for her embroidery and sewing skills that ranged from making baby clothes, wedding gowns to clergical robes. She was an extraordinary writer and wrote short stories and remarkable poetry. She was, however, best known for her culinary skills and worked for many years at Stoneleigh (former home of the Virginia Governor), as a Sous Chef.

Her absence has created a void in the lives of her three children: Thomas Yelinek, (Truc’), Tamika Williams, and Treasure Gravely; thirteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren; one brother, Lynn A. Helms, Jr. (Mollie), Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; five sisters, Betty Gordon (Alfred), Mt. Vernon, NY, Loretta Audel (Jose’). Bronx, NY, Carolyn McGee, Suitland, Maryland, Rhona Long (Marvin), Ashburn, VA, and Shirley Fuller, Bassett, VA; eight nieces, twelve nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.

~~ The Family~~