R eflections R L eflections of
ife
Helen M. Isom,
Mrs. the daughter of the late Mrs. Emilda Jones and the late Mr. Elisha Jones, was born on March 2, 1931, in Holly Springs (Marshall County), Mississippi. She moved with her parents to Memphis, Tennessee, at a very young age. Helen received her education at Mississippi Industrial College in Holly Springs, Mississippi. After graduation, she married TG Isom, and to this union, four children were born (3 sons and a daughter). For many years, Helen was employed by the Memphis Public School System as a School Crossing Guard and Davis Pharmacy. She was a devoted, loving mother, a doting grandmother, a godmother to many with whom she maintained frequent contact, and a nurturer to all. Helen accepted Christ at a very early age and was faithful until death. She and her parents were long-time members of Mt. Olive Cathedral CME Church, where she was a member of Bible Class #3, secretary of Stewardess Board #2, a member of the Missionary Society, and a member of the Lay Council. Helen was a devoted Christian who served dutifully in her church. She was at her best, praising her blessings from God. A favorite phrase of hers was always “Hold onto God’s unchanging hand.” When Helen was able, she enjoyed visiting the sick and shut-in, talking and sharing the Good News with each one inspiring hope and encouraging faith among them. Helen loved to bake and share her cakes and pies with the elderly and sick and shut-in. Her cooking was renowned throughout the neighborhood as she fed many of her children’s friends and those less fortunate. Helen also enjoyed vacationing throughout the country with her children and grandchildren. On Friday, November 13, Helen departed this life to be with the Lord. She was a lady of integrity and always carried a smile everywhere she went. Helen’s most important tenets in life were faith in God, family, and education. She was incredibly proud that all of her children and grandchildren are believers in Christ, family, and higher education. Helen always had a word of encouragement for everyone. Throughout her life, she continued to serve the Lord and others in her church, home, and community in any way she could. Her parents and her youngest son, Ervin, preceded her in death. She leaves to cherish her loving and everlasting memories: two sons, Charles (Bonnie) Isom of Little Rock, California and Marvin (Cheryl) Isom of Fairfax, Virginia; a daughter, Sharon (Anthony) Isabel of Piperton, Tennessee; seven grandchildren, Brandy (Samuel) Grey of Palmdale, California, Stephanie (Kenny) Lawrence of Lancaster, California, Nelson (Mandi) McEntee of Knoxville, Tennessee, Quinesia (Quintin) Love of Bartlett, Tennessee, Crystal Isom of Little Rock, California and Taurean Isom and Tiara Isom of Fairfax, Virginia; eight great-grandchildren, Alana Love, Samantha Grey, Laila Isabel Stewart, Samaya Grey, Kaitlyn Lawrence, Alivia Love (who she affectionately nicknamed “Baby Doll”), Kenny Lawrence, Jr. and Baby Love due to arrive in June 2021; an aunt, Mrs. Anna Spight of Holly Springs, Mississippi and a host of cousins, godchildren, and extended family and friends.
Celebration of Life Saturday, November 28, 2020 11:00 A.M.
Mt. Olive Cathedral C.M.E. Church
538 Martin Luther King Blvd. • Memphis, Tennessee 38126
Pastor Peris J. Lester, I ~ Officiating ~
Processional Hymn
“Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand”
Expressions:
(3 minutes, please)
Family Friend.................................Mrs. C. Denise Brooks Goddaughter........................................Mrs. Brenda Draine Granddaughter.......................................Mrs. Brandy Grey Son.....................................................Mr. Charles M. Isom Resolutions...................................................................Rev. Letha Reed Acknowledgements........................................Mrs. Quinesia Isabel Love Mr. Nelson McEntee Selection.........................................................................Music Ministry Prayer............................................................................Rev. Letha Reed Scripture Readings: Old Testament - Isaiah 26: 1 - 4............................Minister New Testament - John 14: 1 - 6.............................Minister Words of Comfort........................................................Rev. Clara Brown Praise Dance...................................................Mrs. Stephanie Lawrence Ms. Crystal Isom
Obituary
(Read Silently)
Video Presentation
~ ~ Selection.........................................................................Music Ministry “God Did It”
Eulogy................................................................Pastor Peris J. Lester, I Recessional ~Committal Ceremony & Entombment~ Memorial Park Cemetery ~ Sunrise Point Mausoleum
A Tribute to Our Mother
To the world, you were one person, but to us, you were the world. You didn’t have much, but we always felt like we had everything. You taught us love, patience, and endurance. You taught us how to pray and led by example. You praised us whenever we did good and pointed out our mistakes with that gentle voice. You encouraged us to work hard in school, taught us how to read and write, and to treat everyone the way we wanted to be treated. We still remember your voice as you told us how much you loved us. We will never forget that fateful Friday morning when we said goodbye. You were a precious gift from God, such beauty, grace, love, and patience. We thank God for you and the many years we shared. We will cherish our memories of you until we meet again. If roses grow in Heaven, Lord, please pick a bunch for us, place them in our Mother’s arms and tell her they’re from us. Tell her we love and miss her so much, and when she turns to smile, place a kiss upon her cheek and hold her for a while. Remembering her is easy; we do it every day, and we will cherish memories in our hearts that will never go away.
Mom, we love you. Your Children.
Legacy of Love
A wife, a mother, a grandmother too, This is the legacy we have from you. You TAUGHT US LOVE and how to fight, You gave us strength; you gave us might. A stronger person would be hard to find, And in your heart, you were ALWAYS KIND. You fought for us all in one way or another, Not just as a wife, not just as a mother. For all of us, you gave your best, Now the time has come for you to rest. So go in peace; you’ve earned your sleep, Your love in our hearts, we’ll Eternally Keep.
L Tribute oving
We Love You You were always there for us with a smile And words of encouragement. We thank God every day for your guidance, Love, and instilling the word of God in each of us. You will forever be in our hearts. You are and will forever be The best mother and grandmother. Until we meet again.
We love you. Your Family.
C
herished Memories
~Acknowledgements Acknowledgements~ ~ The family of Mrs. Helen Isom would like to thank every one of you for your beautiful words of comfort, your prayers, phone calls, visits, and other acts of kindness shown to us in our time of bereavement. It warms our heart to know that our mother was loved by so many people. We are so very grateful for your kindness and thoughtfulness. Special thanks to Jerry Harrison and the staff of Harrison’s Memorial Chapel, Inc. May God bless and keep you always!
~Honorary Pallbearers ~
Charles Isom Anthony Isabel
~Active Pallbearers ~
Samuel Grey Taurean Isom Nelson McEntee
~The Family Marvin Isom Jerry Harrison
Kenny Lawrence Quintin Love
~Committal Rites & Entombment ~ Memorial Park Funeral Home & Cemetery 5668 Poplar Avenue Memphis, Tennessee 38119
~No Repast ~ Distinctive Services by
3320 Millbranch Rd. Memphis, Tennessee 38116 901-452-7331 www.harrisonsfuneralhomeinc.com “There’s No Comparison To HARRISON” HARRISON” ~Since 1923~ 901.351.0753 www.mysticalprinting.com info@mysticalprinting.com