Helen Gordon Phillips
March 20, 1919 ~ February 16, 2010
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Helen Gordon Phillips, 90, of 118 Pennsylvania Avenue, went to be with her Blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, February 16, 2010.
Helen was born in Winchester, TN, and was a daughter of the late Rev. Bascombe S. and Nannie Patrick Hensley. She was married to the Rev. Albert Franklin "Flash" Gordon, who died in 1959, and Walter B. Phillips, who died in 2004. She was also preceded in death by brothers and sisters, Martha H. Rue, Jean H. Stanford, Bascombe S. "Sim" Hensley, Jr., Maxwell C. Hensley and Madeline "Betty" H. Arrowood.
She was a faithful member of Trinity United Methodist Church where she served in the choir and was a member of the Sprinkle Sunday School Class. She taught in NC public schools for more than 30 years and was a long time member of the Alpha Fidelis Zeta Chapter of the Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority.
She is survived by two daughters, Mary Helen "Merry" Gordon of Fletcher and Patricia Lea "Tricia" Gordon of Winston-Salem; a son, the Rev. Albert Franklin "Frank" Gordon, Jr., and his wife, the Rev. Mary B. Gordon, of Candler; grandchildren, Hannah Gordon Randall and her husband, Josh, of Baltimore, MD, and Sarah Gordon Mack and her husband, Adam, of Durham: great grandchildren, Gideon, John Wesley, and Gabriel Randall; and a step-grandson, Dave Phillips and his wife, José, and their two sons, Sebastian and Makenzie.
Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Friday in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home with the Rev. Rodney H. Hagans, Jr. officiating. Interment will be at Bull Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, Mars Hill.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.
The family requests that memorials be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 587 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC 28806.
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Helen’s Family, I cannot say I really knew Helen although Albert was a first cousin of my mother. Albert’s Mother Mahala and my Grandfather Murry Rickman were brother and sister. Burt Stanford was a customer of mine at Wachovia Bank for a number of years. At one time Helen’s Father served the Scotts Creek Baptist Church in Beta, NC and this church was one where my Mother grew up.
We are never ready to lose our loved ones and particularly our Mothers. Our only comfort has to come from our Faith in the Sovereignty of God and the concern manifested by caring friends. We are thinking of you and will hold you in our prayers. It is hoped that in some small way it does help to know others do care. Joe and Zunita Clark
Frank I am sorry to hear of your loss.May God bless you all in your time of sorrow
Helen’s Family, It was sad to read about Helen. She certainly lived a long, full life. Ed, Albert, and Sammy were first cousins of my Mother. I always thought his nick name was ‘Huffy’ not ‘Flash’. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I am now almost immobile and blind with age related macular degeneration. Stop by and see me sometime. Mary
Frank, Mary & Family
Our thoughts are with each of you during this time and you remain in our prayers.
Dear Merry
My heart goes out to you during this time. My prayers are with you and your family.
God bless you and your family
Mary, Patty, Frank and Family,
I was so sorry to learn of the death of your Mom. I remember fondly all the good times we shared as neighbors on Longview Road many years ago. I also remember her from Aycock School and Trinity Church.
She was a faithful servant at Trinity, singing in the choir for many years. She also touched the lives of many children during her tenure in public education.
She was a strong woman and a good mother, raising you three as a single parent after the death of your father.
Having lost my spouse recently, I can empathize with you all during this time. Please know that I will lift you up in prayer today and in the days to come. I hope you will find comfort in the knowledge that others care and share in your loss.
Well done, thou good and faithful servant!
Frank, you and your family are in my prayers.
Dear Family, Iam so sorry for your loss. To touch the face of GOD what a joyous day that is!!!!!! Love Phyllis
Frank and Mary,
Our hearts and prayers are with you and your family during this time, and wish you comfort and peace.
Dear friends, We are thinking of you and praying for you in this time of sadness at your temporary separation from your mother, but we also rejoice for her and the great reunion that is going on in heaven even at this moment! At the very moment we felt the loss of her presence, we know that there were many folks on the other side who were anxiously and excitedly awaiting her glorious arrival. Until we are all reunited, God bless and keep you. We love you.
Dear friends, We are thinking of you and praying for you in this time of sadness at your temporary separation from your mother, but we also rejoice for her and the great reunion that is going on in heaven even at this moment! At the very moment we felt the loss of her presence, we know that there were many folks on the other side who were anxiously and excitedly awaiting her glorious arrival. Until we are all reunited, God bless and keep you. We love you.
I am so sorry for your loss may God Bless you all. Ann Goss
Losing our Mom is the saddest time of our lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with you with thanks be to God for the love and joy she brought to you, Frank, and your family.
Ina and Howard
Cousins and family,
I have such fond memories of all of us together growing up.
Your Mom was so good to us and to our mom,especially when she was sick.
Don’t you know the sisters are having a ball in heaven together. Mom, Aunt Helen, Aunt Martha and Aunt Betty are giggling up a storm.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Love, Nancy
Dear Gorden family,
I was sorry to here about the passing of your mother. I have fond memories of sharing holiday meals with all of you so many years ago. Your mother had such a wonderful way about her, and a lovely smile. I will keep all of you in my prayers.
Sincerely,
Greg
Dear Cousins,
I have wonderful memories of spending time together when we were young and the beauty and peace of Aunt Helen. I loved when all the sisters were together – they had such fun. Your mom was such a central part of that. I loved her smile and kindness and know she is smiling at you now.
Martie
Dear Merry, Trisha and Frank & wonderful family. Grammie Gordon was truly an amazing lady, alsways graceful, gracious and generous. She never slowed down, even after surgery. Grammie Gordon always made me to feel a part of the family and Robert, Rebekah and Nathan. I am so sorry for your loss, but Rejoice with Ms. Gordon-Phillips. I know she is singing in Glory. love, Virginia
Wish I could be with you all to celebrate your mothers life. She will be greatly missed. Your mom was always so kind and loving to me. I celebrate the fact that Aunt Helen is in the presence of our Almighty King, but know you all will miss her presence deeply. Comfort and peace to you all as you grieve. Love your cousin, Betsy.
Dear Frank and Mary,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. I hope the memories you hold in your heart along with the knowledge that God is taking care of everything will give you comfort at this time.
God Bless – Dawn and Family
Merry, Trisha and Frank,
Our deepest sympathy is with you at this time of loss. I, Diane, lost my Mother in 2008 and I know how you must feel. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and may God’s loving comfort be with you and lift you up.
Jimmy and Diane Hutchison
Frank and family,
You know who I am, but for others that are ‘family’, you and I are cousins. To say that I am sorry that your Mother is with our Lord, no. I envy her. I was a little girl back in the early 1940’s, when I knew her. It was before you and your sisters were born, and my Mother was still married to Ed Gordon. Oh, how I adored your Mother. She would take me on her lap and teach me little rhymes, and as only a little child can sense, I knew she was sincere in her treatment of me. She was truely the sweetest ‘grown-up’ I knew at the time. After reading the guest book comments, it does not surprise me that everyone felt the same about her. My biggest regret is that I never got to see her again. Some day I will, though. What an investment we all now have in Heaven! My prayers are with you that you will let God help you through this time of loneliness in adjusting to life without your precious Mother.
Your loving cousin,
Carole
This is a very late enry! I am Lloyd Bailey from Jacks Creek in Yancey County, NC (now a retired professor from Duke University, living in Durham, NC (lloyd@duke.edu). In my 13th volume of local history (HERITAGE OF THE TOE RIVER VALLEY) i am writing about World War I soldiers from the area, including Bascombe Simeon Hensley, Sr. I believe that this Helen Gordon Phillips is his daughter and I desire to communicate with anyone in the family about his service. I have a photos of two soldiers, one of whom is Bascombe but I do not know which! Talk to me! (Lloyd Bailey, 919-489-8731; this August 23, 2015.