Helen Austin Ellerbe

Helen Elizabeth Austin Ellerbe passed peacefully on Wednesday, December 10, 2025 after a few years of declining health. Up until then, she maintained her kindness, grace, compassion, vivacious nature, love for her family and friends. She was deeply grateful for her long life that was full of wonderful and varied experiences.

Helen’s life can be best encapsulated by the words: Educator, Energizer, Extra Effort and Enormous love for her savior, family and friends. In her 90 years here on Earth she experienced an abundance of these “E” words.

Helen lived most of her life in Clayton, North Carolina. She was born on July 22,1935 to the late Ralph and Lily Canaday Austin. She graduated from Clayton High School in 1953 and from East Carolina Teachers College in 1956. While in college she met and married the late Dr. James Hargett Ellerbe. Jim and Helen settled in Clayton where they made huge contributions to the Clayton community. Helen taught fifth grade at Clayton Elementary for over 30 years. She always enjoyed seeing her former students remarking that she was so proud of them as she gave them a hug.

Helen was a lifelong member of The First Baptist Church. She was a hard worker and loyal member who was always willing to serve her church in many capacities.

Helen excelled in creating a beautiful and gracious home where she and Jim raised two children, entertained family and friends and always welcomed anyone who knocked on their door.

Helen was a people person who cherished her friendships, developing them over every stage of her life. She enjoyed writing poems for friends and would read them with such expression at special occasions in their honor. A true southern belle that enjoyed entertaining, playing bridge, participating in The Halcyon Book Club and spending time at her beach home. She rarely missed a party invitation and would remark that she had just the loveliest time.

Helen is preceded in death by her parents Ralph and Lily Canaday Austin, infant brother James Victor Austin and her beloved husband of 65 years Dr. James Hargett Ellerbe.

A devoted mother to her surviving daughter Beth Ellerbe Hubbard (Bob) and her son James Austin Ellerbe (Sarah). Helen took special joy in being a grandmother to Canaday Hubbard Green (Michael), Robert Yates Hubbard, Austin Hargett Ellerbe (Christina), James Crandale Ellerbe and Lily Caroline Ellerbe. An added bonus of joy was the pleasure of being a great grandmother to four precious granddaughters, Ellerbe Elizabeth Green, Blakely Jacquelynn Green, Emma Jane Ellerbe and Austin Blake Ellerbe.

A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at the First Baptist Church in Clayton on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 11:00am. A reception of family and friends will be held following the service in the fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name may be made to the First Baptist Church PO Box 35 Clayton, NC 27528 or to Transitions LifeCare 250 Hospice Circle Raleigh, NC 27607.