Helen Howell Kittrell

On the evening of September 30, 2015 Helen Kittrell passed from this earth to her heavenly home. She was born on July 26, 1936 to Reuben and Vivian Howell in Hawkinsville, Ga. When she was in the fifth grade the family moved to Tallahassee, where Helen attended the Florida State University School (Florida High). During her high school years she attended Leon High School where she graduated in 1954. While at Leon she met her future husband, Broward Kittrell, whom she married in 1961. Helen graduated from the Florida State University in 1958 with her Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education.

Beginning a lifelong career in education, Helen taught second grade at Sopchoppy Elementary School until their son, Brent, was born. She was a stay at home mother until Brent started school, but continued her commitment to educating children both by preparing Brent for school and by teaching preschool Sunday School. In 1966 she returned to the public school system where she taught at Fort Braden Elementary. The next year, Astoria Park Elementary opened and Helen began teaching kindergarten there where she impacted countless young lives until her retirement in 1997. During her retirement it was a rare occasion that she would not be recognized by a former student while around town.

Helen’s dedication to education was not limited to the public school system. She was instrumental in the founding of preschool programs at Seminole Baptist Church and Immanuel Baptist Church. She spent many years teaching and ministering to both children and adults at Immanuel Baptist Church. She served in many capacities there including teaching preschool classes, directing the children and adult Sunday School programs, teaching Vacation Bible School every summer, and, until shortly before leaving us, coordinating the preschool and nursery volunteers.

In addition to her love of education, Helen enjoyed spending time with her family. Particularly her two grandsons who she began preparing for school long before they started kindergarten. She loved following their accomplishments both academically and athletically and could always be found in the bleachers at baseball games cheering and encouraging them. ‘Mrs. Helen’ was known and loved by many young baseball players as well as their parents. She made many trips with her family following baseball, from local games to regional games to as far away as Cooperstown, NY.

She is survived by her husband of fifty-five years, Broward Kittrell; a son, Brent Kittrell (Pam); two grandsons, Caleb Kittrell and Joshua Kittrell; a brother Kenneth Howell (Jeannette) of Valparaiso; a sister, Kaye Carpenter (Mike) of Monticello; and several nieces and nephews.

Services are scheduled for Monday, October 5, at 11:00 a.m. at Immanuel Baptist Church, 2351 Mahan Dr. The family will receive visitors on Sunday, October 4, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Culley’s Meadowwood Funeral Home, 1737 Riggins Rd.

Memorial donations may be made to the Florida Baptist Children’s Homes or the Immanuel Baptist Church 20/20 Vision Building Fund.