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Helen Mona Ragan McGranahan was born Sept. 1, 1911 and died Jan. 16, 2011, at the young age of 99.
Her life typified a zest for living and enthusiasm for the next new adventure. Blessed with many happy days on God's earth, she was a blessing to many, many family and friends.
Helen was born and raised in Durham, N.C., where she spent most of her adult life.
She moved to Mentor, Ohio, upon marrying her second husband, John. They moved from Mentor to Mount Holly seven years ago to be near family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward N. Ragan and Mona Jane Carroll; by her first husband, Richard McGranahan; her second husband, John McGranahan; and sisters, Gladys, Evelyn and Elenor.
She is survived by her children, Richard McGranahan (Carol) and Joan McGranahan Jones (Edwin); her brother-in-law, Robert Lewis McGranahan (Mildred); her grandchildren, Bob McGranahan (Christy), Steven McGranahan (Gina), Michael McGranahan (Ruth), Erin Jones Miller (Michael); and great-grandchildren, Hagen, Gabriel, Avery, Marcail, Zeke, Kloe and Liam. She also leaves behind nieces and nephews, Katherine McGranahan Livingston (Thaddeus), Robert Lewis McGranahan (Ann), Sarah McGranahan Edwards (Jeff), Jay Byron McGranahan, Bryon Brown, (Kathlyn); and her great-nieces and nephews, Carrie, Thaddeus Andrew, Kate, Andrew Elijah, and Bobby.
Helen was first a loving wife and caring mother.
She was the class mother, the PTA president and a Cub Scout, Brownie and Girl Scout leader.
Anyone who knew Helen also knew that she was the quintessential, impeccable 'Southern Belle.'
Her daughter fondly recalls the most memorable family story was the 'Primitive Camping Trip.' As the Girl Scout Troop leader, Helen helped the girls decide the next badge to be pursued. Fancying themselves to be extraordinary Girl Scouters, they discovered the primitive camping badge had never been earned by any troop in the Bright Leaf Girl Scout region. The girls focused on that badge and they completed it. Led by their 'Southern Belle,' the young ladies dug their own latrine, built their own fire pit and erected their own lean-tos for sleeping, all out in the woods, not a more sedate scout camp. They spent two nights roughing it. Helen loved the adventure, probably more than the girls! And she loved telling about it. For years, all Helen had to do to make everyone dramatically roll their eyes and knowingly laugh was to say, 'Primitive Camping Trip.' 'How I let you girls talk me into that, I will never know,' was said a million times - and always with a twinkle in her eye.
Long before being commonly accepted, Helen went to work to send her children to college. She understood the importance of their education. She earned her LPN, followed shortly thereafter by her surgical assistant certification. For many years she assisted a well-known, Durham area urologist.
Helen saw both her children complete their degrees. She worked as a surgical nurse until the death of her husband.
Helen was an avid member of her garden club and often won ribbons for her entries. It seemed that every time she entered, she won.
An accomplished Bridge player, she and her second husband, John, earned many masters points playing duplicate Bridge.
Later in life, she took great joy in socializing with friends and family. Whether it be weekly Sunday brunch following church or playing Bridge with friends. Helen thrived when surrounded by family and friends, both familiar and yet to be introduced.
Her generosity, her kind temperament, her deep abiding faith in her Lord and yes, even her feistiness are remembered fondly with admiration and affection.
Helen will be greatly missed. Please join us as we celebrate a life well lived. Her funeral service will be 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19, at First Presbyterian Church, 125 Garden St., Mount Holly, where friends may call at 2:30 p.m. Interment will be held privately in Maplewood Cemetery, Durham.
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1911 - 2011 (99 years)
