Helyn Bentz East

Published 10:09 pm Saturday, April 5, 2014

Funeral services for Helyn Bentz East of Brookhaven are 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 8, 2014, at Riverwood Family Funeral Service with burial in Rosehill Cemetery. Riverwood Family Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation is Tuesday, April 8, 2014, from noon until time of service at Riverwood Family Funeral Service.

Mrs. East, 86, died April 5, 2014, at King’s Daughters Medical Center. She was born on June 28, 1927, in Brookhaven to Alvin W. Bentz and Mary Ross Bentz.

Mrs. East was a graduate of Brookhaven High School, class of 1945, where she played drums in the high school band and was a member of the “Sub Deb” Sorority. She then furthered her education by receiving a Bachelor’s Degree from Mississippi University for Women and a Master’s Degree in Arts from Mississippi College. She was an art teacher for many years in the public school setting and also became one of the first female appraiser/broker in the area. She was also a longtime member of First Baptist Church and loved attending Sunday school and singing in the choir. Helyn was a lifetime member of the Junior Auxiliary of Brookhaven and Noon Lions Club of Brookhaven.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her son, Richard Howell East; and brother, Billy Bentz.

Survivors are her son, Tom East; daughter, Martha East Morgan and husband, Paul; one grandson, Andrew Paul Alvin Morgan; special friend and caregiver, Kathy Neilson; and two K-9 companions, “Tico” and “Toby”; along with several other family members and friends.

Memorials may be made to Brookhaven Animal Rescue League, Dr. Mary Ann Baird Memorial Scholarship or First Baptist Church Choir.

To express your thoughts to the family, you may visit riverwoodfamily.com and click on her name to leave a comment.