Helen Smith Worrell

Mrs. Helen Smith Worrell, 69, of Mount Airy, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, August 31, 2014, and was surrounded by her family. She was born March 27, 1945, in Surry County, to the late Arlis and Lila Duncan Harrell. She was a faithful member of Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Lowgap. She loved attending church, loved her church family, and was blessed by the Lord. Helen spent most of her life dedicated to helping victims of domestic violence. She was a founder of and worked for years as the director, education specialist, and board member for The Surry Task Force on Domestic Violence. She was also the founder and the executive director of the Tri-County Women's Resource Center. She has conducted many seminars, gave numerous lectures, and helped many people across the United States. Helen was a board member for many with several organizations, including the North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the North Carolina Displaced Homemakers Network, and Surry Women's Shelter. Even as her illness progressed, she continued to work and serve her community by working for Mary Sue's Safe Haven/Blue Ridge H.O.P.E. Domestic Violence Shelter as a shelter advocate and speaker. Helen's work continues to this day in all of the people she touched with her kind words of encouragement, strength, and hope for a better future for them and their children. Mrs. Worrell is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 33 years, Eldridge Worrell of the home; two daughters and sons-in-law, Tammy and Andy Bowman of Mount Airy and Tonya and Robert Carpenter of Dobson; three sons and two daughters-in-law, Phillip and Carla Smith of Troutville, VA, Joey and Shelly Smith of Cana, VA, and Shannon Smith of Ararat; three stepchildren, Darren Worrell and his wife, Tammy, of Willis, VA, and Tabitha Worrell and Cecelia Worrell, both of Virginia; nine "grandbabies," Dalton Smith, Kasey Bowman, Corey Bowman, Christian Smith, Jessica Smith, Sheridan Smith, Calvin Smith, Marijo Smith Kellam, and Caitlin Newman; four stepgrandchildren, Cole Worrell, Bryant Worrell, Gabriel Worrell, and Kaley Nester; four great-grandchildren, Jillian, Kennadi, Calvin, and Kaylei; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Joan and Gary Crotts of Mount Airy and Evelyn "Ebbie" and Ernie Leonard of Cana, VA; a brother, Bud Doss of Mount Airy; and a host of nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Worrell was preceded in death by her stepfather, Clifford Oscar Doss; two sisters, Peggy Joyce Hawks and Betty Louise Harrell; and her uncle, Thomas Harrell. The funeral service will be held Saturday, September 6, 2014, at 2:00 PM at Mount Vernon Baptist Church, with the Rev. Bill Spurlin, Joey Smith, and Phillip Smith officiating. Burial will follow in the Worrell Family Cemetery in Dugspur, VA. The family will receive friends Friday from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Moody Funeral Home in Mount Airy, where her body will remain until carried to the church to lie-in-state 30 minutes prior to the funeral service.