Mary Helen Larkins

Mary Helen Larkins, age 95 passed on June 6, 2022 at Big Bend Hospice Margaret Z. Dozier House in Tallahassee, FL. God looked around His garden, and found an empty space. He then looked down upon His earth and saw your smiling face. He saw your path was difficult, and He closed your weary eyes. He whispered to you “Peace be thine.” And gave you wings to fly. It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone. For part of us went with you on the day God called you home. Helen was born in Port Arthur, Texas on September 4, 1926 and lived most of her life in Bristol, FL. During her lifetime, she worked as a welder, cigar maker, seamstress, and a caretaker for her mother after she suffered a stroke and was in a coma for several years. She served as Mayor of Bristol in 1972 and 1973 becoming the Bristol’s first female mayor. She was also a member of the Blountstown Chapter No. 179, Order of the Easter Star and the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary. She was a member of Bristol First Baptist Church. She was pre-deceased by her first husband, Linnie Hilmer Sullivan and second husband, Walter Larkins. She was also pre-deceased by her Father, Henry David Story, Mother, Laura Edna Story, Brother, Henry David Story, Jr, and Sister, Dorothy Clyde Grantham. Even though she never had children of her own. We all became her children and spent many happy times visiting and celebrating family milestones and Holidays at her home. Christmas Eve was her favorite time when family would gather for our annual Chili meal, gift exchange, and to enjoy her beautifully decorated home with more and more lights every year! Survivors include nephews and nieces Tony and Nancy Grantham, Bristol, FL, Travis and Denean Sykes, Tallahassee, FL, Bryson Sykes, Tallahassee, FL, Grant and Tammy Grantham, and children Lauren and Reid, Bristol, FL, Neil Grantham and Monica Bontrager and daughter, Raleigh, Bristol, FL, Kathy and Jim Whaley and children Laura (Jason) and Marcus (Maria Elena), Darreyl and Marcia Duggar and children Shannon and Zach (Bailey), and Danny and Bobbi Story and their extended family in Klamath Falls, OR. She is also survived by Cousins, Chiquita Sanders Rudd, Hosford, FL, her sons John Troy, Bo (Tina), and extended family including great-grandson, Jacob Hill, with whom she developed a special loving bond during her later years; Jim (Jamie) Johnson and family, Bristol, FL; Joan (Michael) Wright and family, Bristol, FL; James E. White and Gary White of Texas; Dennis and Janet Revell, Athens Georgia and their children Jason, Ashley, and Jonathan; and Wayne Revell, Tallahassee, FL. Additional survivors include her Step-Grandchildren, Wayne Sumner (Elizabeth), Bristol, FL, Roger Sumner (Jessie), Gainesville, FL, and Carolyn Wright (Curtis), Gainesville, FL. The family would like to thank the Liberty County Sr. Citizens, Encompass Health Care, Big Bend Hospice and her caretaker Bobby Young for their care provided during her declining years. A special thanks to her neighbors and adopted family Gar and Trel Revell, daughter Millie, and their extended family for all of their good deeds and love. A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, June 10, at 11:00 am at Bristol First Baptist Church (10677 NW Michaux Rd., Bristol, FL) with visitation at 10:00 am preceding the service. Burial will follow the service at Bristol Cemetery in Bristol, FL. Todd Wahlquist with Bevis Funeral (850-643-3636, www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the family with their arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.bevisfh.com.

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Mary Helen Larkins

September 4, 1926 - June 6, 2022