Helen Mae Rackley

She was raised on a farm near Ash Grove, Missouri. When she was about 11 years old her family tried to relocate to California but her father, Lilburn was killed on the trip and the family moved back to Ash Grove.

Helen took care of her family and stayed at her mother's house in Ash Grove for many months helping until her passing. Her brother, Lawrence lived with them for several months in Wichita after leaving Ash Grove. Her older brother, Edgar Lee was killed in a car accident just prior to entering service in WW2.

She never drove but after Andy passed, she and her sister-in-law Willma went all over the town shopping and testing restaurants the last 20 years of her life. She had a quick wit and sometimes pulled no punches in animated discussions. She will be missed.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Andy Gibson Rackley; her parents, Lilburn Elvis and Verna D. (Nunn) Smith; her step-father, Bud Long; her brother, Edgar Lee Smith; her brother and sister-in-law, Lawrence Henry and Willma Charlene; infant sister, Shirley Mae Long and 2 nieces.

Helen is survived by 7 nieces and nephews; many great, twice great and third great niblings.

A visitation will be held at Resthaven Mortuary, located at 11800 West Highway 54, Wichita, Kansas, 67209, on February 27, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm.

A committal service will follow at Resthaven Gardens of Memory, at the same address, at 1:00 pm in The Garden of Faith.