Helen Louise Shupe

Helen was born in Hampton, VA on July 20, 1943 to parents Frank and Pearl Ratcliff. She would have celebrated her 75th birthday this Friday.

She attended Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley and was employed in service personnel at several different Raleigh County Schools. However, Helen’s most important job was a wife, mom, grandmother, and great grandmother to her husband, her three sons, four granddaughters, and two great grandchildren.

On March 25,, 1961 Helen married the love of her life and they celebrated 55 wonderful years of marriage until his passing in January 2017. She was a long time member of Bethel Freewill Baptist Church in MacArthur, WV. Besides being preceded in death by her father, Frank; her mother, Pearl; and husband, George, she was also preceded in death by her brother, Bill Ratcliff of Beckley, WV.

Helen is survived by her brother Earl and his wife, Alura of Beckley, WV; brother, Doug and his wife Patsy of King, NC; sister, Mary and her husband Herbert Tilley of Warner Robbins, GA; sister, Martha and her husband Floyd Lester of Pluto, WV; sister, Judy and her husband Lonnie “Doobie” of Bent Mountain, VA; and sister, Gatha and husband Frank Gray of Dafter, MI.

Helen is survived by her son, Rick Shupe and his wife Sherry of Crab Orchard, WV; son, Tom Shupe of Beckley, WV; and son, James E. Shupe of Teays valley, WV. She is also survived by granddaughters, Brittany and husband “Turtle” Rash of Coal City, WV, Hillary and husband Nik Mower of Crab Orchard, WV, Kristan Shupe of Crab Orchard, WV, and Heather Shupe of Crab Orchard, WV. Also Surviving are great-grandson Zane Rash of Coal City, WV and great granddaughter, Aubree Mower of Crab Orchard, WV.

Funeral services will be held at Blue Ridge Funeral Home on Friday, July 20, 2018 at 1:00 pm with Pastor Terry Hatcher and Rev. F.D. Sexton officiating. Visitation will be from 11 am to 1 pm. Burial will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers will be Andrew Cox, David Lester, Mike Lester, Nik Mower, “Turtle” Rash, and Keith Sexton.

Flowers may be sent to Blue Ridge Funeral Home or donations of sympathy to Bethel Freewill Baptist Church in MacArthur, WV.

Mom, your unconditional love, support, and devotion to your sons, granddaughters, great grandchildren, brothers, sisters and their families will never be replaced or forgotten. We know you are smiling and rejoicing with the lord and walking the streets of gold in heaven holding Dad’s hand. See you soon Mamma!

Online condolences will be viewed and shared with the family at www.blueridgefuneralhome.com Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley has the honor of serving the Shupe family.