Helen Louise Yater

Helen M. Yater 88, of Hurricane, WV died on December 25, 2023.
Helen was retired from the U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, D.C. She was well known in the legal community in Charleston, having served as paralegal assistant to the Honorable John T. Copenhaver Jr., United States District Judge for the Southern District of West Virginia from 1980-1991 and as a legal clerk in the Office of the United States Attorney from 1975-1980.
She graduated from Stonewall Jackson High School. Helen attended Marshall University while working full time and earned an A.A.S. degree in Legal Assisting, Graduating with High Honors. She was initiated into Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Fraternity.
Helen was a charter member of Cross of Grace Lutheran Church in Hurricane where she was Secretary of the Church Council for many years and where she performed a variety of services to the needy in Putnam County and throughout the world as leader of the Community Service Team. For many years, Helen represented her church on the Board of the Christian Community Cupboard and served as Secretary of the Board from 2009 through 2013.
In retirement, Helen was a dedicated supporter of the Museum in the Community in Hurricane. She held the office of Secretary of the Board of Directors for many years. Helen was an avid gardener and was a certified Master Gardener for more than 17 years.
Helen and her husband, David, traveled extensively prior to his death in 2009. They visited 53 foreign countries during their marriage, including five African photo safaris, and a Trans-Atlantic crossing on the Queen Mary 2 to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in 2004. They particularly enjoyed river cruising in Europe. Following David's death, Helen continued her international travels as long as her health permitted.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, David D. Yater and her infant son, Charles Steven Yater, who died in 1956.
Survivors include her daughter: Lea Ann Fink and husband Timothy of Tornado, WV; niece: Patricia Yater Strawmyer and her husband, Tom; great-niece: Ashley Dailey and her husband Phillip and their daughters: Emmalyn and Abagail, all of Prosper, TX area; niece: Elizabeth Dunbar (Frank); and nephew: Chester Henry Yater, III all of the Houston, TX area. She will be missed by her family and a multitude of loving friends, neighbors, and church family.
Graveside Service will be 1:00 pm Wednesday January 3, 2024 in the Chapel at Sunset Memorial Park, South Charleston, WV.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later time.
At Helen's request, in lieu of flowers, friends are urged to make contributions to either: the Helen Yater Memorial Fund, Cross of Grace Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 1025, Hurricane, WV 25526 or Hubbard Hospice House, 1001 Curtis Price Way, Charleston, WV 25311.
Anyone wishing to leave an online memory may do so by visiting Helen's tribute page at: www.chapmanfuneralhomes.com.
Chapman Funeral Home 3941 Teays Valley Road Hurricane, WV 25526 is honored to handle the Yater family arrangements.