Helen Noeline (Underwood) Beede, Flint, Age 85, died Monday, June 11, 2012 at Living Joy. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 15, 2012 at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road, Reverend John Clair Ferris officiating. Burial in Crestwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Carriage Town Ministries or Hope United Methodist Church. Visitation 4-8 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. Friday until the time of the service at the funeral home. Helen was born in Dahlgren, Illinois on January 15, 1927, the eldest of seven children, born to Gladys and William Clyde Underwood. In the late 1930's the family moved to Flint and Helen firmly built her life in the community where she graduated from Flint Technical High School and married her high school sweetheart, Kenneth Beede, later that year on August 5, 1944. He preceded her in death in 1989. Helen worked as a bookkeeper for many Flint businesses throughout her lifetime. She was very active at Hope United Methodist Church as financial secretary and in the Women's Circle. She also volunteered at Carriage Town Ministries. Helen loved her family and her many dogs, who, in turn, adored her. She liked to travel with her sisters and friends-always loading up her van and serving as the
driver. She was bright, industrious and always willing to help anyone who needed assistance. Helen is survived by her children, Janis (Jay) Werschky of Flint, Kenneth Ted (Nancy) Beede of Flushing; granddaughters, Jill (Mike) Phillips and Jori (Andy) Lewis of Clarkston, Brittany (Jason) Wirtz of New York City; grandsons, Blake Beede of Tulsa, OK and Brendon Beede of Flint; great-grandchildren, Avery and Grant Phillips of Clarkston; sisters, Colette Lurvey of Flushing and Ida (Erich) Grams of Lennon; brother, William (Marilyn) Underwood of Florida. In addition to her parents and husband, Helen was preceded in death by infant daughter, Jill Ann Beede; sisters, Connie Reider and Mary Jo Ballard; brother, John Underwood; special cousins, Clarice and Bob Bolerjack. Your condolences may be shared with the family at swartzfuneralhomeinc.com
Published in Flint Journal from June 13 to June 14, 2012.