Helen Mae George

Mrs. Luther “Helen Mae” George departed our arms and was called to Heaven on Thursday, January 12, 2023. She was born in Elm Springs, Arkansas on May 21st, 1933. She attended grade school in Tontitown, Arkansas and graduated high school in Springdale, Arkansas in May 1951. Growing up in rural Tontitown, Helen developed her love for family as she helped her parents by tending their farm and grape vineyards. She was a member of the 1949 Tontitown Grape Festival Queen’s court and her first outside job after high school was in the office of the Welch’s Grape Juice Co. plant in Springdale. Her next job was at George’s Live Poultry in Springdale where she met the love of her life, Luther George. Helen and Luther were married on March 23rd, 1963. Luther, who was a wonderful and loving husband and father, was called to Heaven on April 2, 1969. Suddenly, Helen became a single parent now focused on raising their two young sons. She continued working over the years at Springdale Memorial Hospital, Shiloh Travel and was on the marketing team who initially developed The Arkanshire Retirement Community in Springdale. In 1985-86 while being a member of the Springdale Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, Helen was elected President of the Arkansas Hospital Auxiliary Association. This position that made it possible to bring attention and support to the healthcare system across the entire state of Arkansas, benefiting hospital patients and their families. She loved to be with her boys and spent as much time with them and her family as possible. They traveled together on many family vacations, enjoyed birthdays and other family celebrations and she definitely spent a lot of time going to and enjoying Razorback sports. As a matter of fact, there was rarely a game day where one wouldn’t find Helen without Razorback attire or attending Razorback football and basketball games. The pinnacle of her life as a Razorback fan, as she would tell you, was probably the 1994 National Championship Basketball game and going to the Orange Bowl Football game in their win over Oklahoma. Later in life she would spend many hours talking with old friends, making and sending personalized birthday cards, solving crossword puzzles and watching reruns of old westerns, game shows and movies in between family events. She felt so blessed having children and grandchildren that one of her biggest joys was sending an annual family photo to wish friends and relatives a Merry Christmas. During it all she always had time for her children. Whether it included going to school activities or social events, Helen made each one a family event filled with love and support. Then, as her children married and had their own children, she became a loving and proud grandmother. Nona, as she was called, was involved in their lives and activities just like she had been with her own children. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Dick and Florence Fiori of Tontitown, and her husband Luther George. She is survived by her two sisters Mary Catherine Neil of Springdale and Pauline (husband Raymond) Franco of Tontitown. Two sons, John Lee George and wife Mary; Richard Eugene George and wife Shelly all of Springdale, Arkansas. Five grandsons: Brandon Lee George and wife Kate of Denver, Colorado; John Cameron George of Springdale; Daniel Adam George and wife Kristin of Springdale; Logan Alexander George and wife Emily of Prosper, Texas; and Spencer Patrick George, also of Denver, Colorado, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Visitation will be held at Sisco Funeral Chapel in Springdale, Thursday, January 19th from 5pm-7pm followed by a Catholic Rosary Service at 7pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held the following day, Friday, January 20th, at 10:00 am at St. Raphael Catholic Church in Springdale with burial to follow at Bluff Cemetery in Springdale. Memorial contributions can be made to St. Raphael Catholic Church or The Circle of Life, both in Springdale. Our family would like to say a special “thank you” to the management and staff of both the Arkanshire Retirement Community and The Circle of Life for taking such great care of Helen, our Mom and Nona, with so much love and compassion these last few months. Online condolences may be left at www.siscofuneral.com

Helen Mae George

May 21, 1933 - January 12, 2023