Helen Thrower Sorrells

Helen Thrower Sorrells died on the 19th day of April, 2021. She was born on August 27, 1928 in Heflin, Alabama and graduated from Cleburne County High School in 1946. She was a 1950 graduate of the University of Alabama, where she met and married the love of her life, Lytle Stanley Sorrells. Helen and Stan were married for 63 years prior to his passing in 2010.

Helen found her life's calling in education and spent 21 years using her gifts of loving patience, kindness and empathy teaching children the majority of whom were 1st graders at Shades Mountain Elementary. Many of her students remember her fondly to this day as a truly special educator who was awarded the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge Medal, a national recognition for excellence in education.

She was a lifelong Southern Baptist and for the last 60 years was a member of Shades Mountain Baptist Church and the Agape Sunday School Class. Her strong faith was the bedrock upon which she lived and went on to be with her savior.

Helen was a passionate Alabama Crimson Tide fan and Tide Pride member. She loved traveling and attending games with family and friends.

She was devoted to her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed cooking, fishing, music and dancing the "jitterbug". She will continue to serve her family through her loving legacy and extraordinary life of strength and honor.

Helen is survived by two daughters, Debbie Sorrells Snead and Denise Sorrells Conner (Rob) and son, David Stanley Sorrells (Kelly). She is also survived by her grandchildren, Dale O. Robinson, Jr. (Sandy), Perrin Robinson Makofski (Todd), Kristen Denise Conner, Conner Gorman Sorrells, Anna Catherine Sorrells and 3 great-grandchildren. She is survived by her sister, Lynda Thrower Lowery (Jim) and her brothers, Don Thrower (Ann) and Jon Thrower (Joyce).

A public visitation will be held on Saturday, April 24, 2021 from 1:00pm-2:00pm in the Maple Room of Johns Ridout's Elmwood Chapel located at 800 Dennison Ave SW Birmingham, AL. 35211 with a graveside service to follow in Elmwood Cemetery at 2:00pm. Pastor Jonathan Payne will be officiating. Johns Ridout's Elmwood Chapel directing.

Memorials may be made to Shades Mountain Baptist Church, Homebound Ministry or the Alzheimer's Association of Alabama.