Helen Pierce Fariss

Helen Pierce Fariss, 90, of Bedford, Va., passed away on Thursday, November 19, 2009, at Bedford Memorial Hospital. She was born on Thursday, May 15, 1919, in Bedford County, a daughter of the late Robert Spencer Pierce and Carrie Updike Pierce. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Hubert West Fariss. She was a member of Nicopolis United Methodist Church. Surviving are her three daughters, Phyllis F. Burnette, of Bedford, Jeanette F. Gardner and husband, William, of Huddleston, and Susan F. Winebarger, of Lynchburg; a brother, Sherman H. Pierce, of Bedford; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. The family requests those wishing to make memorials to consider Nicopolis United Methodist Church, c/o Kim Overstreet, 1208 Junction School Road, Bedford, Va. 24253 or Bethesda United Methodist Church Building Fund, 14340 Wyatt's Way, Huddleston, Va. 24104. Funeral services will be held 3 p.m. on Sunday, November 22, 2009, at Updike Funeral Chapel, Bedford with the Rev. Tammy Franklin and the Rev. Steve Turner officiating. Interment will follow in Nicopolis United Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 2 until 3 p.m. at Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford, Va., 540-586-3304.