Helen B. Achorn

Helen B. Achorn, age 88, of White Hall, formerly of Greers Ferry, entered her eternal rest on Jan. 2, 2015. Helen was born on Dec. 14, 1926 in Orangeburg, S.C. to Harold and Helen Mazyck Bruggemann. She was raised in Charleston, S.C., a city whose charm and dignity she exemplified so very well. Helen graduated from the College of Charleston in 1946 with degrees in chemistry and English. She obtained a mathematics post-graduate degree in 1947 which was followed by employment at the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company. She moved to Pine Bluff in 1953 and was employed in the Chemical Assurance Lab at the Pine Bluff Arsenal until 1967 when she married Glenwood B. Achorn, Jr. Following his retirement from the Arsenal in 1974 they moved to their home on Greers Ferry Lake where she was active in the Greers Ferry Presbyterian Church serving as an Elder and Clerk of Session. She and her husband Glen were also very involved in the local Optimist Club. Following her husband's death in 1982 Helen travelled extensively with her friends in Greers Ferry, and became active in her home-owners association, serving as its secretary for many years. Helen enjoyed golf, bridge, reading, and spending time with family and friends who knew her affectionately as Grandma or Miss Helen. In 2006 she relocated back to White Hall for health reasons where she remained until her death. She is survived by her son, Benjamin H. Cheek, Jr. and his wife Linda of Conway; step-daughter, Betsy Francis and her husband Charles of White Hall; and step-son, Jim Achorn and his wife Beverly of White Hall. She is also survived by grandchildren Jennifer Miller (Jim), Greg Cheek (Heather), Debbie Francis Johnson (Beaver), Tammy Crismon (John), Ricky Francis, Bryan Achorn (Candace), Angela Cartwright (Brad), and Raymond Achorn (Brigitte) along with 12 great-grandchildren. The family would also like to extend their thanks to her special caretaker Debbie Jane Johnson for all of the wonderful care she gave Helen over the past three years and to her step-daughter Beverly for all of her attentive care she provided while Helen lived with Jim and Beverly. Visitation for Miss Helen will be held at Ralph Robinson and Sons from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday. Graveside services will be conducted on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015 at 10 a.m. in Graceland Cemetery with Reverend Ben Crismon officiating. The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorial donations be made to the White Hall United Methodist Church Building Fund at 300 Church Street in White Hall, Ark. 71602 or to the Greers Ferry Emergency Medical Service at PO Box 1264 in Greers Ferry, Ark. 72067. Online register at www.ralphrobinsonandson.com.