Helen Hudson Shelburne Perdue

Helen Hudson Shelburne Perdue, 95, of Rocky Mount, died Wednesday, February 17 at Franklin Health and Rehabilitation Center. Helen, daughter of the late Cephas Gillespie Shelburne and Emma Divers Shelburne, was born on October 25, 1914, in Dallas, Texas. After living briefly in Saint Louis, Missouri, the family relocated to Rocky Mount to reside on East Court Street. She graduated from high school in Rocky Mount then attended Lynchburg College and Texas Christian University. Prior to her marriage to local attorney Clyde H. Perdue she supported the World War II effort by working as a clerk for the rationing board. Helen and Yidie married in 1943 and raised four children on Diamond Avenue in the house built by Clydes father, Jesse. Helen not only supervised the household but also operated a tax preparation business in Clydes office. Numerous residents of Franklin County remember Helens exuberant manner of filing taxes. Helen was active on the altar guild at Trinity Episcopal Church. She served as a leader of her daughters Girl Scout troops. Her hobbies included horseback riding with Yidie, knitting, gardening and golfing. Her favorite holiday was Halloween. She made annual trips to the elementary schools in October dressed as a ghost to tell scary stories to the children. Trick- or - treaters made a special trip to Diamond Avenue on Halloween to see her huge carved jack o lanterns. She was preceded in death by her husband Clyde, her mother, father, her brother Douglas Divers Shelburne and her youngest sister Evelyn Byrd Shelburne. Survivors include her sister Elizabeth Shelburne Beale of Rocky Mount, her brother Charles Raymond Shelburne and his wife, Louise McGuire, of Martinsville. She is also survived by her children Emma Parcell and her husband Bill of Ferrum; Nannie Leake and her husband Hansford of Newton, North Carolina; Randolph Martin and her husband Joseph of Overland Park, Kansas; Clyde Holland Perdue, Jr. and his wife Vickie Brubaker of Rocky Mount. Her grandchildren include Elizabeth Sharp and her husband Nathan, Ry Parcell, Lydia Leake, Bennett Leake, Page Martin, Holland Perdue, Peyton Perdue, Madeline Perdue, and Delaney Perdue. Her great-grandchildren are Emma and Phoebe Sharp. The family wishes to thank all those who have helped care for Helen both in her home and at Franklin Health and Rehabilitation Center. Gaynelle Perdue, a devoted friend and companion, helped to keep Helen secure, happy and engaged in life. The funeral will be conducted 2 p. m. Saturday at Trinity Episcopal Church, 101 Church Street, Rocky Mount. The Reverend John Gardner will officiate. Burial will be at High Street Cemetery. A reception will follow at the church parish hall. The family will receive friends at Trinity Episcopal Church at 1 p.m. on Saturday before the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Helen to Trinity Episcopal Church, 101 Church Street, Rocky Mount, VA, 24151. Arrangements by Lynch Conner-Bowman Funeral Home, Rocky Mount, VA, 540-483-5533. www.lynchconnerbowman.com