Helen Briggs

Helen Briggs, better known as "Mama Helen", was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She had one of the warmest hearts you would ever know. She didn't need much to make her happy. Her family, adopted family, friends, animals (more specifically her cats), and the view of the lake from her porch were enough to bring a smile to her face. Mama Helen knew what was important in life and she was not afraid to tell you if she didn't feel what you were fretting about was one of them. She was kind, but witty; gentle, but honest; patient, but strong willed. Heck, she got what she wanted up until the very last moment.

In her younger years, Helen worked her way up the corporate ladder in a time when it was a man's world. She settled for nothing less than the best and this mentality brought her much success in her management career. All the while, she was raising two beautiful daughters and taking in countless strays, both human and animal alike.

Mama Helen has a sign that hangs in her kitchen that reads, "Don't ever drive faster than your guardian angel can fly." If you are reading this tribute, you yourself have now gained another guardian angel in the sky.

She was preceded in death by parents, Bertie Smith Jenkins and Doyle Franklin Jenkins; husband, Eugene Briggs; and father of her children, B. David Gilliland. She is survived byher daughters, Deborah and Dr. David Porterfield, Jeannie and David Fry; grandchildren, Nicole (Chris) Price, Carissa (William) Richardson, Holly Porterfield, Kenneth Porterfield, Sam Porterfield, Rochelle (Kevin) Wright, and Zachary (Chelsea) Fry; 5 great-grandchildren; sister, Ruby (Coy) Free; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and chosen children.

In lieu-of-flowers, memorials may be made to Cherokee County Animal Shelter, 8660 County Road 71, Center, Alabama 35960.

The family will receive friends from 10-11am on Saturday, February 1, 2020, at Clearview Worship Center.