Helen Dean Cantrell went to be with the Lord on September 1, 2019 after battling an extended illness. She was surrounded and supported by her loving family during the last days of her life. “Dean” as she was affectionately known, was born in Gainesville, GA. on July 7, 1950 to Tommy Hopkins and Willie Neil Hopkins. Dean is preceded in death by her mother; Willie Nell Hopkins, father; Tommy Hopkins, and her sisters Jacqueline Ross, Martha Poole, and Nancy Shields.
She is survived by her daughter Stephanie (Kevin) Cantrell-Hall, sons Eric (Brittany) Cantrell, Travis Cantrell, and Kelvin Cantrell; brothers Johnny Hopkins, Collie Hopkins and Michael (Phillis) Hopkins of all of Gainesville, GA. ?
Helen Dean Cantrell accepted the Lord as her savior and worshipped at New Salem Baptist Church in Jefferson, GA., where she served as an usher and faithful member who truly loved the Lord. Dean was genuine spirit who would always say, “what come up must come out", she was a person who would say what she meant and meant what she said. You never had to wonder where you stood with her – she always made her feelings and opinions very clear. Rarely did she meet a stranger and in the off-chance she did they would soon become friends. Helen Dean was a gifted cook, many of times you could go by her house and find her in the kitchen making potato salad, sweet potato pies, meatloaf, cream corn, or greens for family members or a church event. Her very best gift was her ability to always make you feel welcome and cared about. ?
Helen Dean Cantrell also leaves to cherish her memory her granddaughters, Twanna Williams, Tameshia Hall, Erica Hall, Monae Cantrell, Damila Cantrell, Deneshia Newberry all of Gainesville, GA and Maryssa Cantrell of Greenville, SC; grandsons Rashawn Cantrell, Miguel Cantrell, Maurice Cantrell all of Greenville, SC and Erin Cantrell, Kevin Hall, and Demetric Newberry all of Gainesville, GA; 10 GreatGrandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Over the years she became the adopted mother and grandmother to many, she was the adopted sister of Ms. Dolores Millsap and special friend Toni Borders-Lyles. She had a tremendous spiritual gifts of kindness, caring, love and forgiveness. ?
She was faithful to her God and a constant instrument of HIS peace. She was the model of the Virtuous Woman as described in Proverbs 31:10-31. She was beautiful, physically and spiritually and was a living breathing testimony of grace, mercy and unwavering faith.
Funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2019 at New Salem Baptist Church, 787 New Salem Church Road, Jefferson, GA 30549 at 2:30 PM. Visitation will be held on Friday, September 6, 2019 at St. John Baptist Church, 757 E.E. Butler Parkway between the hours of 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Professional Services Entrusted to Wimberly Funeral Home.
