Mary Helen Friel

Mary Helen Friel
July 30, 1942 – October 6, 2025
Mary Helen Friel, age 83, of Rossville, Georgia, passed away on Monday, October 6, 2025. Born to the late A.G. and Edna Harper in Chattanooga, Tennessee, she was a lifelong resident of the Chattanooga and Northwest Georgia area. Helen was a founding member of the Class of 1960 Kirkman Reunion Committee, where she enjoyed reconnecting with friends and former classmates. She loved traveling, especially to the Great Smoky Mountains, and enjoyed hunting for bargains at yard sales. One of her favorite spots was the Chattanooga Choo Choo. Helen lived by the values of Duty, Honor, and Tradition, which she deeply believed in. She loved her family dearly and treasured every moment with them. A kind, loving, and sweet-hearted person, Helen loved people and will be missed dearly by her family and all who knew her.
Helen is preceded in death by her husband, Tommy Friel; parents, Arthur Grant and Edna Harper; infant son, William Lamar "Billy" Friel; daughter-in-law, Sherry Gribble; and childhood friend, Barbara McBee.
Those left to cherish her memory include her loving children, Terri (Rob) Dill of Rossville, Georgia, Jerry (Dedria) Gribble of Ringgold, Georgia, John Gribble of Ringgold, Georgia, Susan (Roger Leiviska) Friel of Chickamauga, Georgia, and Jamie Friel of Rossville, Georgia; grandchildren, Sarah (Chad) Gilley, Katie Dill, Johnny Dill, Drew (Kayla) Gribble, Cassidy (Adam) Mueller, Joshua Gribble, Allyson Mencer, Jacob (Madison) Emahiser, Abigail Gribble, and Kingston Leiviska; and eleven great-grandchildren.
The family has arranged for a time to remember and honor Helen. Friends and family are invited to join us on Thursday, October 9, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and on Friday, October 10, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The funeral service, a time to celebrate Helen's life, will be held on Friday, October 10, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. The family appreciates your prayers and support during this difficult time.
An Online guest book can be found at www.wilsonfuneralhome.com. W. L. Wilson & Sons Funeral Homes, Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, is handling the funeral arrangements.