Helen Prillaman McCullough

Obituary for Helen Prillaman McCullough Helen Prillaman McCullough, 84, died on January 22, 2021 at King’s Grant Retirement Community. Helen was born July 13, 1936, the daughter of Alton Andrew and Lena Carter Prillaman, in Franklin County, Virginia. She is preceded in death by her brothers, Richard Prillaman and Alton Wythe Prillaman. Helen graduated from Bassett High School, class of 1955. She attended National Business College in Roanoke, Virginia, and soon thereafter moved to Arlington, Virginia, where she began her decades long career with the Bureau of Land Management within the Department of the Interior in Washington, DC. It wasn’t long before she met her husband, Douglas LeRoy McCullough, and for the next 47 years, wherever Helen went, Doug was sure to follow; and vice-versa. No couple has been more committed to each other’s contentment and happiness. Helen is survived by her husband, Doug; her daughter, Dina Lynn McCullough and her wife, Jennifer Liner; and her granddaughter, Jordan Thayer McCullough. Helen is also survived by two sisters, Nancy Hale and Judy Hundley, as well as a number of beloved nieces, nephews and grandnieces and nephews. After both retired early from the Federal Government, Doug followed Helen to Roanoke, Virginia, where she could be closer to her family. She and Doug devoted many years to real estate development in Roanoke and then subsequently in and around Smith Mountain Lake, where they officially retired. Being close to family was extremely important to Helen…you could always find her at family gatherings laughing hysterically with her siblings, her nieces and nephews and their children. Helen also relished being a grandparent and spending time with her granddaughter. Helen’s family will remember that even as a young person, she was devoted to the care of her family. From making sure her little sisters’ dolls had newly sewn garments from Santa Claus to ensuring that nieces and nephews had support in being educated, Helen was a champion for her family. She possessed a strong will and determined outlook that helped everyone in her family through difficult times. In all things, Helen and Doug were solid partners and undertook both work and play in the joy of one another’s presence. Every winter for about a decade, Helen followed Doug to South Florida, so he could be closer to the fish. Helen treated all who visited to wonderful tours of the natural wildlife, flora and fauna, and history of the area. Helen relished sharing the whereabouts of the manatee, bald eagles, every bird imaginable and even the baby alligators! Many of Helen’s family and friends have shared how much they loved and looked forward to her annual holiday letter. She so eloquently shared the ups and downs of any given year and, depending on the topic, made you feel like you had either enjoyed or endured it right alongside her. Those intimate stories often included tales about their many travels around North America in their RV and the wildlife they encountered and thoroughly enjoyed photographing; as well as the highlights of their family’s lives too. A virtual celebration of Helen’s life will be held on Sunday, February 28, 2021, at 3:00pm ET. Please register in advance for this service: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEscuqpqjsrGd0B7lziQuHUQvKlEDbhZtBT In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Samuel and Tristan Pilson Memorial Scholarship Fund, which provides a scholarship each year to a Bassett High School Senior who demonstrates a commitment to living a life of service. The fund is in the care of Fidelity Bank, 3300 Virginia Avenue, Collinsville, VA, 24078, and donations may be made by check. In addition, donations may also be made in her name directly to St. Jude’s Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/).