Helen Bonds

1925 - 2016

Helen Bonds

Anderson, SC

Helen Louise Cann Charping Bonds passed away peacefully at her residence on April 7, 2016. She was 91 "almost" and would have simply reversed the numbers as she had many times before; saying age is just a number!

Born in Anderson County on April 26, 1925, Helen was a daughter of the late Lemuel Reid Cann and Ida Pilgrim Cann.

Helen will always be remembered by her loving son, William P. (Bill) Charping and his wife, Edith Anne of Columbia, SC; a faithful sister, Margie Hall and a brother, Earl Cann, both of Iva, SC; grandchildren, Paige Charping Sutherland (Chris) of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Ellison Anne Williams (Michael) of Columbia, Maryland; Virginia Louise Charping of Fort Mill, SC; C. Clifford Charping of Columbia, SC; W. Patrick Charping (Lizette) of West Columbia, SC; Katie Jane Charping of West Columbia, SC; Leigh Charping of Elk River, Minnesota; and John Charping of Greenville, SC; great-grandchildren, Ellijah, Ella Ciel, Elise Claire, Alexis, Patrick, Elizabeth Anne and Kayden; a special niece, Celia Williams Kennedy (Bill) of Fairplay, SC; many nieces and nephews; and her very devoted caregivers who made it possible for Helen to be in her home in Iva, Tonya Hill, Loretta Merritt, Nicole Hester, Kelly Duncan and Fredda Lee.

As a son, Bill from an early age watched and learned from his Mother some extraordinary life lessons. In the event you had the opportunity to know her, you would first know her best from her movement - what she actually did; but when there were words on a topic of life itself, they were profound and not forgotten, most especially by Bill because he witnessed and watched her walk them out in her life. Words like "Never, ever give up!" Courage, Honor, Commitment, Compassion, Determination, Perseverance, Integrity, Resilience, Faithfulness, and more.

Helen and the late Arthur Clifford Charping, Sr. were married in 1940 for 38 years before his death in July 1978. They established Cliff's Restaurant in 1950-51. Cliff's became famous for its quality food - hot dogs, cheeseburgers with chili and many other favorites, drawing crowds from all over the area. It became "the place to be and be seen", with folks eating and dancing after all the ballgames. The young people who worked at Cliff's growing up became famous in their own right; establishing themselves in the community and in many different professions and businesses throughout the region. Some even married each other!

Twenty years after Cliff's passing, Helen married the late Feaster Wade Bonds in 1998 who introduced her to the Lowndesville Dance and the "Two- Step". Helen was thrilled to be crowned "Queen of the Lowndesville Dance"! They took many trips to Branson, Missouri and enjoyed their brief four years together before his death in 2002.

Helen was also preceded in death by a son Arthur Clifford Charping, Jr., three brothers, and two sisters.

Helen was a member of Good Hope Baptist Church and enjoyed her Women's Prayer Group. She was a member of Zonta International.

The funeral service will be held privately with the family with interment at the Iva City Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Sunday at the residence from 2:30 pm until 4:30 pm.

The family requests memorials be made to Good Hope Baptist Church, 221 Good Hope Church Road, Iva, SC 29655.

A message of condolence may be sent by visiting www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.com.

The McDougald Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Anderson, SC.