Helen Louise Kidwell

Helen Louise Kidwell was born on January 6, 1927, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, to Ida and Henry Gerrans Trust. When Helen was only two years old her father died of diphtheria. Her mother married Edson Jorge Hambleton in 1932, when Helen was 5 years old, and he raised her as his own daughter. In 1939 the family moved to Lima, Peru where they met Seventh-day Adventist missionaries, starting their sojourn into the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

In 1943 the family moved to the United States, and in 1951 Helen became a proud American citizen. After graduating from Washington Adventist University, Helen began her career in education. While teaching at the Vienna Church School in Vienna, Virginia, Helen met the love of her life, Marche Kidwell. They were married on June 15, 1958. Their son, Kent, was born on October 24, 1964. They welcomed their daughter Kimberly on March 21, 1967. In 1967 the Kidwell family moved to Mt. Vernon Ohio, where Marche and Helen were beloved teachers. They later moved to Weslaco, Texas where they finished their teaching careers before moving to Etowah, North Carolina to retire.

Helen loved her seven grandchildren and was proud of them. Kim and Bill have five children – Meghan, Molly, Madeline, Emily, and Andrew. Kent has twins, Morgan, and Evan. Helen was so proud of her two children, who have been so loving and supportive.

Helen was so grateful when her sister and brother-in-law, Ellie, and Neil, moved to Etowah. Helen cherished her time with Ellie, going shopping, going on picnics, and even just talking. Helen was also thankful for the wonderful times she had with her nephew Steve and her brother Jim and his wife Diane, and her niece Anne and her husband Jerry. She cherished time with family and friends.

Helen was blessed to have caring and supportive friends. She particularly appreciated her church community, who were a great comfort to her when she lost Marche.  Her friends that Helen loved her Mills River Church family and gave back to them by volunteering in the church school. Helen’s faith in God and her hope of a soon coming Savior were deeply important to her. Helen’s prayer for her children, grandchildren, sister, brother, sister-in-law, nieces, nephews, and church family is to surrender your lives to God and be ready for the return of Jesus, so that we can all live in the new earth forever!

A service will be held at the Mills River Church, 2142 Jeffress Road, Mills River, North Carolina 28259 on Saturday, June 18^th at 4:30 pm.  Helen has requested that donations be made to the Mills River Church School (at the same address) in lieu of flowers.  The Church School was very special to her.

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