Helen Hough DeVane

DEVANE - Helen Hough DeVane was born in Daytona Beach, Florida in 1929 to Helen and Glenn Hough. She was raised as an only child, after two younger brothers died in early childhood. She and her parents moved to St. Augustine in her early teens, and she was raised in the Methodist faith. She married, and after the births of two sons, Thomas and Robert, she and her husband moved to Jacksonville’s rapidly growing community of Arlington. Daughters Teri and Sandra were born in Jacksonville, and all four children were raised in the Arlington Presbyterian Church, after the family joined the new congregation in the mid-1950’s.

This began Helen’s extensive involvement in the church. She became a member of the church’s choir and handbell choir. With her sewing skills, she made paraments and banners for use in the church sanctuary and served as the chair of the church’s sewing circle. Helen was awarded an Honorary Life Membership by Presbyterian Women. An accomplished quilter, she created several quilts as fundraisers for Church World Service. For years, Helen served as a church financial volunteer, preparing the offering for deposit each Monday morning.

Helen worked in the registrar’s office of Jacksonville University in the 1970’s and 80’s. In 1980, she re-married, and she and her husband Bennie enjoyed traveling together, including trips to Alaska, Australia and New Zealand, Europe and Canada. In her spare time, Helen delivered Meals on Wheels and volunteered at the I. M. Sulzbacher Center.

After living in the same Arlington home for nearly 65 years, Helen moved to Brookdale at Atrium Way in 2018. She passed away on May 2 at Community Hospice’s McGraw Center. Helen is survived by her four children, Rev. Tom Herrington of Mt. Pleasant, SC, Rob Herrington and daughter-in-law Carol of Charlotte, NC, Teri Morrow and son-in-law Marvin of Jacksonville, and Sandy Weldy-Cook and son-in-law Gary Cook of Louisville, KY, 4 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bennie DeVane, and by her beloved grandson Joshua Morrow.

A memorial service will be held at Arlington Presbyterian Church at a date and time to be determined. Memorial gifts may be made to Arlington Presbyterian Church.