Helen Louise Zornes

Helen Louise Zornes died August 2, 2011 in Americus, Sumter County, GA, in her home, surrounded by family. Born May 19, 1921 in Butler Township, Butler, Pennsylvania to Reuben Belles Waldron and Eleanor Marie Davis Waldron, Helen was the oldest of two daughters. The family lived in the Butler area until Helen was 16. In 1937 Helen's family moved to Santa Ana, California where she graduated from Santa Ana High School. She later graduated in social work from University of California at Berkeley. On September 11, 1942 Helen married Kenneth Wilson, who died in World War II on April 20, 1944. Born to them was a daughter Patricia Ann Wilson who lived only four days. In September 1944 Helen entered St. Vincent's School of Nursing in Los Angeles; she studied and worked at Children's Hospital in Los Angeles, and Highland Hospital in Oakland, California. On June 15, 1946 Helen married James Harley Zornes at the Presbyterian Church in Riverside, California. They had three children, and in 1960 the family moved to Las Vegas, Nevada. There Helen returned to college, obtained her degree in teaching and taught 3rd grade for several years. In 1995 Helen and Jim moved to Americus, GA. Helen loved traveling and would endure its rigors for its adventure and beauty. She loved to fish and took it seriously; her children and grandchildren knew they were not in the boat to fool around, make noise or scare the fish. Helen loved reading, gardening, swimming, playing the organ, shopping, knitting, pretty shoes, anything pink, See's chocolates, and she was an accomplished seamstress. Generous and compassionate, Helen's kindness extended not only to people, but also to animals: all the family pets were rescues that needed refuge and medical attention. Helen loved the Bible and going to church (she was a lifetime member of the Presbyterian Church). Most of all Helen loved her family. Resolute and strong in spirit, Helen was called by her father his "spunky little Dutchman." Facing life's losses and vicissitudes with courage and hope, she left her family a legacy of joy in living and faith in God. Helen was preceded in death by her husband James Zornes and son Gary James Zornes. She is survived by two daughters Dr. Sandra Lee Zornes (husband Terrell Templin) of Andersonville, GA and Kathleen Samsel (husband Lynn) of Sandy, UT.; sister Jeanne Burlingame of Kennesaw, GA; grandchildren: Taylor Zornes Templin, Melissa Ivey (Roger), Kristen Morris (Nate), James Samsel (Ashley) & David Samsel; and fourteen great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 5, 2011 at 10:00 AM at First Presbyterian Church. Rev. Deb Bibler will officiate. Interment will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery. A visitation will be held preceding the funeral, beginning at 9:00 AM at First Presbyterian Church. To sign our online guestbook or express your condolences, please visit www.hancockfuneralhomeinc.com Hancock Funeral Home, 427 S. Lee St., is in charge of arrangements.