Helen Emory Falls

FALLS, Dr. Helen, passed from this life to her eternal reward on June 11, 2012. She was 96 years old and had her mental acuity almost to the time of her expiration. Dr. Falls could easily be called "Miss Missions" by almost everyone who knew her. To have heard her or to have read her works was to know that her life was full of the love of missions. She was born April 17, 1916, in Bay City, Texas, the daughter of the late Glennie Parker and Oswald Benjamin Falls, a Baptist minister. Her introduction to missions came at a very early age, and she loved the stories of missionaries. She graduated from John Marshall High School in 1932 and enrolled in Westhampton College at the age of 16. After receiving her B.A. from Westhampton College at the University of Richmond in 1936, she studied at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., where she earned the M.R.E degree. Then it was as natural as breathing for her to take up duties as State WMU Young People's Secretary in Maryland. In 1945 she began teaching at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. She served as the first Dean of Women and Professor of Missions. It was in her mission classes that she impressed and enthralled her students with her personal knowledge of what was going on around the world and in the lives of missionaries. In the course of her career she made friends and corresponded with an unbelievable number of missionaries. Her travels in 80 countries on four continents visiting missions gave her a vast knowledge of missions on the front lines. Continuing her studies she earned a M.E. degree and an Ed.D. from Columbia University. In 1976, she was the first woman awarded an Honorary D.D. degree by the University of Richmond. She was in constant demand as a speaker and writer. Her intelligence, forthright manner of speaking and expertise were recognized by many groups. She was included in Who's Who among American Women, World Who's Who of Women and Foremost Women of the Twentieth Century. She was the recipient of numerous awards including a Distinguished Alumnae Award from the University of Richmond and special recognition awards from the Association of Professors of Missions, The American Bible Society and Woman's Missionary Union. She was active in the American Association of University Women, and the Southern Baptist Historical Society. She served as a volunteer speaker for the American Bible Society. In her retirement years she enjoyed speaking, writing, traveling, reading and classical music. She was skilled at knitting and needlepoint. She made innumerable baby caps for newborn infants at St. Mary's Hospital. Her life was rich involving people, places, her religious profession and service to others. She was predeceased by two brothers, Howard Parker Falls and Oswald Benjamin Falls Jr.; and one sister, Catherine Falls Jarrett. She is survived by one sister, Margaret Falls Cutchins of Catonsville, Md. She is also survived by six nieces and nephews, 17 great-nieces and nephews and 26 great-great-nieces and nephews. The family wishes to express deep gratitude to the compassionate and skilled caregivers and staff in Healthcare at Lakewood Manor. The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 13 at the Simms Center, Lakewood Manor, 1900 Lauderdale Rd., Richmond,Va. A Service of Witness to The Resurrection will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, June 14, at First Baptist Church, 2709 Monument Ave., Richmond Va. 23220. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Falls Family Scholarship, The University of Richmond, Maryland Hall University of Richmond Va. 23173, or to the Lottie Moon Offering, International Mission Board, Box 6767, Richmond, Va. 23230.