Mother Mary Helen Ashe

MOTHER MARY HELEN PITCHFORD ASHE was the eleventh of the thirteen children born to the late Sam Pitchford, Sr. and Mary Sommerville Pitchford on February 24, 1925, in Halifax County, North Carolina. After a brief illness, she peacefully answered God's summon to her heavenly home on Sunday, October 12, 2025.

During her early life, Mary Helen accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and united with the South Street Missionary Baptist Church in Littleton, North Carolina. Throughout her life, she faithfully served her church in many capacities: Usher, Choir Member, Assistant Church Clerk, President of the Missionary Ministry, and Mother of the Church. She was a devoted President of the Missionary Circle of the Reedy Creek Missionary Baptist Association for many years, and also worked with various churches in the Summit area, offering her guidance, support, and inspiration to countless individuals and organizations in the community. Her favorite scripture was Proverbs 3:5, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."

Mary Helen received her formal education in the Halifax County Public School System and attended the former McIver High School in Littleton, North Carolina. She proudly received her GED later in life.

On December 21, 1945, Mary Helen was united in Holy Matrimony to the love of her life, Willie Allison Ashe, Jr., who preceded her in death on December 1, 1992. Their union was blessed with two adorable daughters, Martha and Bessie. She was a devoted wife, a loving mother, a proud grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. Her nurturing spirit and unwavering faith were woven into the very fabric of the family culture, and she caringly touched the lives of everyone who knew her.

Mary Helen was employed with the Halifax County Bookmobile, worked at a daycare center in Littleton, North Carolina, and ended her fulfilling career at Mary-George's Boutique in Littleton, North Carolina.

In addition to her parents and husband, Mary Helen was preceded in death by her brothers: Sam, Willis, John, Willis, Douglas, Edward, Thomas, Charlie, Claude, Joe Witt, and Henry; one sister, Martha Ella; her grandson, Jarrell L Rainey; and her son-in-law, James L. Rainey, Jr.

Mary Helen's sweet spirit and the legacy of her love will forever remain embedded in the hearts and minds of her daughters, Martha Faulcon (Rev. Robert L. Faulcon, Sr.) and Bessie Rainey; her grandchildren: Anthony Faulcon (Donnalynn), Robert L. Faulcon, Jr. (Stacey), LaTarsha Rice (Joe), Marsha Carrethers (Bernard), Dr. James Rainey III, and Kaneka Turner (Eric); her great-grandchildren: Marqui Faulcon, Desmond Faulcon, Demond Faulcon, Ethan Faulcon,Tyrel Faulcon, Alorah Faulcon, Alexi King, Tyce Nash, Jaelon Faulcon, Jaekira Faulcon, Jason Dorsey, Brittney Scaineaux, Tiffany Scaineaux, Rashad Faulcon, Kearia Schroeder, Willliam Schroeder, Jr., Jevon Schroeder, Jasiah Moyler, Bryson Turner, Caleb Turner, Taisha Parrish, Trevor Brown, and NaTasha Hundley; nineteen great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and loyal friends who will forever cherish her precious memory.

Mary Helen's life was one of faith, service, and unconditional love. Her legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of all those whose lives she touched in so many special ways.

A viewing and visitation will be held from 5:00-6:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at Robinson Funeral Home, 215 US Highway 158, Littleton, NC. The final viewing will take place from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral service time at 1100 a.m. on Monday, October 20, 2025, at the funeral home. Rev. Joseph L. Battle will deliver the eulogy, and Rev. Robert L. Faulcon, Sr. will preside. Burial will follow in the South Street Missionary Baptist Church Memorial Gardens, Bacon Road, Littleton, NC.