Helen Reynolds Creel

Today and every day we celebrate the life of our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Helen Reynolds Creel, who passed away at the remarkable age of 92 on September 26, 2025. Helen graduated from Warwick High School in 1950 and was the youngest of 13 full and 5 half siblings.

Helen was born and raised on a tobacco farm in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. She often reminisced about her adventures swimming in the creek with her German Shepherd, Polly-Ann, playing with paper dolls in the farmhouse attic, the generosity of her papa and mama to neighbors, and working alongside her beloved family on the farm. After her father passed away in 1942 and the farm fell on hard times, she spent her remaining early years living with older siblings and their families, including her sister Ella. Eventually, she moved to Hilton Village in Newport News to live with her sister Kate's family, while attending Warwick High School.

She married Durward Creel after she graduated and had four children. Durward built a house for them beside his parents (Theodore and Daisy Creel) home in Warwick County, VA in 1954; Helen lived in this home until her final breath. Helen was friendly to everyone she ever met and enjoyed sharing her many stories. Helen and Durward spent many years dancing with a local square dancing club, the Golden Boots, where Durward was the caller. She loved traveling and made several cross-country trips throughout the years. After retiring at 60, she took numerous bus trips and cruises with friends and family, including many birdwatching trips to Chincoteague with her daughters. An avid quilter, she made over 70 quilts for family members, ensuring to take a photo with each recipient holding their treasure. She was also a member of the Lynchburg Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Thurmond Durward Creel; her daughter, Theresa Creel Dunn; her parents, William Andrew and Olive Aaron Reynolds; and her siblings, Homer, Roxie, Ila, Alva, Harry, Mary 'Della,' Bessie, Ella, Hugh, William 'Howard,' Callie, Ruth Estelle, Snowflake, Kate, Olive Jeanette, Doris 'Tootsie,' and Herbert.

Helen is survived by daughters, Deborah (Gary) Hammond and Yvonne (Harold) Richardson; her son, Jonathan (Vicky) Creel; 11 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; and 6 great-great grandchildren.

Helen was an exceptional wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. She was a kind soul with an incredible heart and will be missed by anyone who truly knew her. She and her legacy of love and strong family ties will live on in our hearts every day.