Mary H. Painter

Mary Helen Pipkin Painter, age 89, of Tuscumbia, died Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2010.
Visitation will be 1-2 p.m. today at Morrison Funeral Home, Tuscumbia. Her funeral service will follow in the funeral home chapel, with Mrs. Painter's grandson, Tony Wood, officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Tuscumbia, with Mrs. Painter's grandson-in-law, Michael Jordan, conducting.
Mrs. Painter was a resident of Tuscumbia since 1946. She and her husband, Sidney, were active members of First Baptist Church of Tuscumbia. She served for years as a choir member, taught vacation Bible school and was very involved in all children's activities.
Helen was a devoted wife, homemaker, mother and grandmother. She unselfishly gave of herself, her time and talents to her family and friends.
She was an exemplary Southern cook, whose greatest joy in life was preparing special meals. She was an accomplished seamstress, making clothes for her young daughters, including their winter coats.
Helen's servant heart, generous spirit and spunkiness have greatly influenced and inspired her daughters and grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Sidney Painter; her parents, Fred and Kate Pipkin; and her brother, Doug Pipkin.
She is survived by her daughters, Linda Painter Stanley (Joe), of Sheffield, Gail Painter Gilbert (Joe), of Gallatin, Tenn.; siblings, Ruby Patterson, Charles Pipkin and Jean Benson, all of Knoxville, Tenn.; grandchildren, Tony Wood (Debbie), Alabaster, Ala., Anne Wood Gipson, Muscle Shoals, Mary Katherine Gilbert Jordan (Michael), Murfreesboro, Tenn., Joseph Whitfield Gilbert, of Nashville, Tenn.; great-grandchildren, Sara Elizabeth Gipson and Sidney Katherine Gipson, of Muscle Shoals, Emily Kate Wood, Hannah Marie Wood and Olivia Grace Wood, of Alabaster, Ala., Joseph Jordan and Katherine Elizabeth Jordan, of Murfreesboro, Tenn., Emma Grace Gilbert and Elizabeth Graham Gilbert, of Princeton, Ky.
Pallbearers are Whit Gilbert, Michael Jordan, John R. Simpson, Sammy Richardson, Joseph L. Stanley and Joe Gilbert.
Her family expresses a great thank you to her loving caregivers, Pat Oliver, Nancy McGee, Dixie Mitchell, Angie Collum and Dawn Price.
Morrison Funeral Home, Tuscumbia, is directing.