Obituary of Helen Peebles

Helen Peebles was born in Birmingham Alabama, on September 12, 1933 to Earl Barksdale and Lacey Mae Lee. Helen attended Parker High School and was an inspiring gymnast. In 1948 Helen married her first and only true love Willie Lee Peebles. In their union she had sixteen children: Frank, Cleveland, Willie Andrew, Jerry, Helen Marie, James, Sarah, Earline, Perry, Ricky, Anthony, Calvin, John Isaiah, Teletha, Tonya and Michelle Helen was an exceptional mother who raised her children and managed to provide each one of them with her unconditional love, affection and attention. She instilled good morals and taught them the importance and value of family. She was a devoted wife to her husband and stood by him through thick and thin. She went beyond the call of duty and maintained a loving home and environment for her family. Helen and Willie decided they wanted a different lifestyle for their children with greater opportunities therefore, they moved to The Big Apple- New York City! Helen had a dream to become a famous dancer. She was known for her rhythm, flexibility and moves; the jitterbug dance was her favorite. When she danced, she lit up the room with life, energy and excitement. Helen thought she was going to paint the town and become a star! But God had another plan for her life and indeed a STAR she was. At the age of 30 Helen accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and received the Holy Ghost under the ministry of her husband. Her dance now became a dance of worship and praise. She would often testify “I did not stop dancing; I just have a new dance partner”. Through her dance many souls were healed and delivered, and lives were transformed. Within her ministry Helen served as an Usher, Sunday School Teacher, an Evangelist and Missionary. She was a mentor to women of all ages. She was also a Choir Director and Singer. Her favorites songs she led were: Sweeping Through the City, God Specializes, His Eyes Are on The Sparrow and ultimately, He Keeps on Blessing Me. Oh, her voice was so anointed and angelic. Helen was also a seamstress, cook and baker. The saints looked forward to Sunday Dinner at the Shepard Mother’s house. Her hospitality was always uplifting and welcoming. Each Sunday the table would be set with the finest china with a display of tasty southern cuisine. Helen was a phenomenal woman who inspired and empowered many of us, a matriarch in the Kingdom of God, the Shepard Mother of the Glorious Church of God in Christ Jesus, Brooklyn NY for over fifty years. She was known for her elegance and style and knew how to wear a hat and her heels; most importantly she lived the life according to the word of God “Who Can Find a Virtuous Woman”. A mother to her children naturally and spiritually, the Queen to her King on this earth but now she is with the King of Kings in Glory! Her legacy lives in all of us. Helen is joining her children Cleveland, Sarah, Perry and Calvin, her daughter in law Cheyenne, and her siblings, Andrew Barksdale, Earline Conway and Lorenzo Trotter Jr. Helen leaves to mourn her husband of 71 years, Willie Peebles, her children Frank, Willie Andrew, Jerry, Helen Marie, James, Earline, Ricky, Anthony, John Isaiah, Teletha, Tonya and Michelle; her loving daughters-in- law Judy and LaShawn; her devoted sons-in-law Bobby, Karim, Kenneth, and Morris; 106 grandchildren consisting of three generations, her siblings Fay Trotter, Zelbert Trotter, and Emma Stokes and a host of nieces and nephews. Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt, Godmother and Friend Helen Peebles we will miss you dearly… Helen’s Favorite Scripture – Psalm 91:1-2 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.