Helen Mabel Nixon Shockley

Helen Mabel (nee Williams) Nixon Shockley, 97, born on October 28, 1919 in Sorento, IL to Everett Hill Williams and Rosanne (nee Bond) Williams, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 17, 2016. Her mother, originally from Newton Abbot, Devonshire, England, died in 1923 and her father died in 1964.

Helen married Dale Leslie Nixon in 1940. He preceded her in death on September 4, 1977. Helen and Dale had four children; Sandra Jean Nixon, David Dale Nixon (Nance), Steven Alan Nixon (Jane), and Barbara Ann Nixon Callahan (Keith). Helen and Dale, along with Dale's brother, Floyd and his wife, Esther built a successful business--Nixon Brothers Auto Service in Pine Lawn and O'Fallon, MO.

In 1986, Helen married Reverend Lester E. Shockley, founder and pastor of Florissant Assembly of God Church. Helen took an active role in Lester's ministry at the church, often accompanying him on hospital visits and as he performed his other church duties. Lester passed away on March 4, 1998, but Helen kept in touch with Les's children and grandchildren and enjoyed hearing from them.

Helen led a faith-filled life as a Christian. She was active in the First Baptist Church of Ferguson, joining the church in 1950. She travelled to Haiti doing mission work, taught vacation bible school for many years at an inner-city church in north St. Louis, and founded and taught at the Special Education program at the First Baptist Church of Ferguson for 45 years. Helen was active in the home visitation ministry at her church, visiting dozens of hospital and nursing home residents each month, often bringing them snacks, pies, magazines, and even the occasional Big Mac. Helen prepared countless funeral luncheons at her church for the bereaved families.

Helen loved her family deeply. She is survived by her children; grandchildren, Brett Frederick Kitcher, Kimberly Lynn Shapiro, Susan P. Upham (David), Jennifer Woods Nixon Gentile (David), Barrett Ross Nixon (Andrea), Katrina Williams Workman (Brad), Gwendolyn Christine Nixon Carter (Michael), Alexander Mebane Nixon, and Samantha Nicole Callahan; great grandchildren, Terah N. Kitcher, Dylan B. Shapiro, John Upham, Julianna Upham, Noelle Upham, Abigail Upham, Lauren Rose Gentile, Alexis Lucia Gentile, Matilda Kathleen Nixon Carter, Josephine Ruby Nixon Carter, Helena Christine Nixon Carter, Dale Bradley Workman, Everett Michael Nixon Carter, and Finley Jensen Nixon; and many beloved nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

Visitation will be on Monday, November 21, 2016 at the First Baptist Church of Ferguson at 9 a.m. until time of service at 10:30 a.m. There will be a luncheon following the service and then she will be laid to rest at Loomis Cemetery in Chesterfield, IL at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to the First Baptist Church of Ferguson. Friends may offer condolences at www.alexanderstlouis.com.