Helen Wickline

Helen Wickline passed away on Tuesday, December 4, 2018, in Tallahassee, Florida at 98 years of age. Helen Mercedes Schoonover was born on April 11, 1920 in Orange, Virginia, to Robert and Pearl Schoonover. She was the oldest of seven children, one brother who died in infancy, and five sisters. Because her father worked as a carpentry supervisor who moved between construction projects, Helen spent a great portion of her early life between the areas of Orange County Virginia and Clay County in West Virginia and developed a great love for these states and the people she met there. At sixteen years old, Helen met and married Russell Chafin in Man, West Virginia and they later moved to Portsmouth, Ohio where they initially operated a general store and a chauffeur service. In Portsmouth, Helen was politically active and became involved in local politics. In the 1960’s, Helen and Russell were divorced and she moved to Tampa, Florida where she later married Charles Wickline of Huntington, West Virginia. As a widow in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, Helen moved to Sebring, Florida where she met George Dellinger with whom she spent fifteen very happy years. Helen was a unique individual who had a sharp wit, profound sense of humor, and keen awareness and concern for people and what was happening in their lives. Helen worked many years in retail sales. Her memory was phenomenal ! She carried a dictionary to be able to spell correctly when writing and was a whiz at math. Helen loved her family and friends. She was generous and compassionate and greatly enjoyed being around other people. Sadly, she missed a lot of that social interaction when she lost most of her vision and hearing in her later years. She could see the photos on a cell phone well enough, though, to smile and kiss the pictures of her newest Great Grandchildren, Emme (Emelia), 2-1/2 years and Connor, 2 months. When her five younger sisters passed on far too early, she grieved but kept the memories of them alive with humorous anecdotes and stories from the past. Helen’s sisters were, Jean Hawkins (Ray); Norma Carpenter (Harris); Mary Francis White (Jake); Bobbie Lohr (George); and Virginia Hall (Bill). Helen is survived by her son, Russell A. Chafin (Patsy), and her daughter Valerie Fitzpatrick (Gary). Grandchildren are Russell J Chafin (deceased), Kellie Chafin, Mike Chafin , Erin Benjamin Fitzpatrick (Shannon), and Kyle Fitzpatrick. Great grandchildren are Melissa and Madeline Chafin and Emelia and Connor Fitzpatrick. Nieces & Nephews are Rod Hawkins (Teri), Alan Hawkins (deceased), Kim and Jeff Carpenter (both deceased), Sharon Compton, Chris White, Eric White, Richie Hall, Melanie Lacy, Paige Lohr, Connie Warren, Tracy Lohr, Beth Lohr, Perry Lohr (deceased), David Lohr, and Chad Lohr. Helen will be missed. Anyone inclined to send flowers, instead please consider contributing to a charity such as “Smile Train” that provides free surgery to children with cleft palates and similar problems correctable with surgery. Susie Mozolic of Bevis Funeral Home is assisting the family with their arrangements. (www.bevisfh.com 850-385-2193)

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Helen Wickline

April 11, 1920 - December 4, 2018