Helen Bramblett

1943 - 2025

Helen Bramblett

April 24, 1943 - June 5, 2025

Rock Hill, South Carolina - Helen J. Johnson Bramblett of Rock Hill, SC went to be with her Lord on June 5, 2025. Mrs. Bramblett, originally from Spartanburg, was born on April 24, 1943, the third of four daughters of the late John M. Johnson and Nora Elliot Johnson. She is also preceded in death by her oldest sister Cherry Queen, and younger son, Nik Bramblett.

A memorial service will be held at Temple Baptist Church, 281 Celriver Rd., Rock Hill, SC 29730 on June 21, 2025 at 2 p.m., officiated by Rev. Kenny Vinson. Military Honors will be provided by VFW Post 12136 Honor Guard.

Reflecting on her life, she spoke proudly of her Navy service and her children-both her own and those of Rock Hill. Helen was proud to have served in the U.S. Navy after attending Spartanburg High School. RM3 Johnson was one of the first women to be allowed to take a radio repair class that was only taught aboard a ship and received a Navy Achievement Medal for her actions on watch at Naval Station Norfolk on April 10, 1963, when the USS THRESHER was lost. Helen left the Navy and Norfolk to become a wife and mother and settled in Rock Hill where she raised three children with her former husband, Curt Bramblett.

She was an active member at First Assembly of God Church, where in addition to Sunday school and women's ministry, she found her calling as she directed the church's Little People's Day Care. This led to her opening the Child Development Center on Celanese Road, providing the children of Rock Hill care, with enrichment learning activities beyond tradition daycare. She partnered with the City Parks and Recreation for art programs, and swim lessons, the County for museum activities, and with local businesses for trips to skating rinks and bowling alleys, as well as other creative and engaging events. She lobbied the State to ensure that all childcare employees would be subject to SLED investigations to increase child safety. Her efforts revolutionized the childcare industry for children, creating what we now call "day camps" for after school and summer care. Hundreds of children came through the CDC, and all of Rock Hill's daycare centers rose to meet the standard she set. It is hard to find a life-long resident of Rock Hill over the age of fifty that was not under her care at one time. Helen loved Rock Hill's children and followed their lives long after they left her care. "Mama Helen"," as she was called, remembered them all and was honored when she received visits or cards from them later in life.

She is survived by her son, James L. Bramblett (Gina), whom she has often said was "her heart," and her daughter, Cynthia C. Sheridan (Raoul). Although she had no grandchildren of her own, she was blessed to be accepted into the family of Jake and the Honorable Jane Modla as "Nanny" to their beautiful children Dorothy Jane, Jennings, and Georgia who she loved as her own along with their cousins, Maddie and Jacob. She is also survived by her sisters Sarah Taylor and Johnnie Louise Key (Larry). She will be remembered by her dearest friends Sandra Hannon, Nancy Rinehart, and Jade Harvey; former pastor, Roland Dry and his wife Carol; and many others who blessed her in life.

In lieu of flowers; memorials may be made to Hospice & Community Care, PO Box 993, Rock Hill, SC 29731. https://www.hospicecommunitycare.org/sanctuary-garden-1-1

Online condolences may be shared with the family at https://www11.funeralwebhost.com/bxn/notices/Helen-Bramblett

Bratton Funeral Home of York, SC is honored to serve the Bramblett family during this time of loss.