Helen Lorene Willis Rider

Mrs. Helen Lorene Willis Rider, age 83, of Toccoa, passed away peacefully at her home on May 17, 2023.

She was born December 1, 1939 in Franklin County to the late Frances and Katie Durham Willis. Mrs. Rider was of the Baptist faith and attended Old Toccoa Baptist Church. Lorene worked as Secretary/Treasurer for Rider Construction for 40 years.  She loved softball and baseball, especially the Braves and watching her grandchildren play. She enjoyed doing needlepoint. 

She is survived by her loving husband of the home Freddie Rider; sons and daughters-in-law, Leon and Beth Rider and Dennis and Debbie Rider of Toccoa; grandchildren, Clayton and Haley Rider, Lyndsay and Paul Batchelor, Evan Rider, Chance Rider, Jessica and Chris Powell all of Toccoa, Chase and Staci Rider of Hoschton, Georgia and Justin Stratton of North Carolina; 15 great grandchildren and one great-great grandson; numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings W.C. Willis, Junior Willis, Walter Willis, Bobby Willis, Milford Willis, Marvin Willis, Pauline Willis, Lois Gayheart, Estelle Crunkleton and Mozelle Gayheart. 

Funeral services will be held in the Hillcrest Chapel of the Acree Davis Funeral Home on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. with the Reverend Roger Elrod officiating.  The following gentlemen will serve as pallbearers, Clayton Rider, Evan Rider, Paul Batchelor, Chance Rider, Barry Crunkleton and Brandon Crunkleton. Honorary pallbearers will be Jayce Jones, Kaden Rider, Micah Rider and Roman Rider.

The family will receive friends at the Acree Davis Funeral Home on Friday, May 19 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.acree-davisfh.com.

Interment will follow at Old Toccoa Baptist Church Cemetery with the Acree-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory in charge of the arrangements for Mrs. Helen Lorene Willis Rider.