Mildred Helderman

Mildred Esther Helderman, 97, of Whitewater passed away Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, at her home.

She was born Feb. 15, 1919, in Dutchtown, daughter of James Franklin and Emma Elizabeth Brase Williams. She and Aaron Frank Helderman were married Nov. 8, 1946, and together raised eight children. He passed away Oct. 13, 1993.

Mildred graduated from Randles High School. She taught school a couple of years before she and Aaron were married and then was a devoted mother and homemaker. She was a member of Bethlehem General Baptist Church at Crump, where she taught Sunday school for several years. Mildred loved her children, grandchildren, other family members, church family and the friends she held close.

Loving survivors include three sons, Aaron (Mary Beth) Helderman Jr. and John Helderman of Whitewater and Jeff (Tina) Helderman of Gordonville; four daughters, Joyce Helderman, JoAnn (Ron) Nance and Mary (John) Livingston, all of Whitewater, and Janelle (Mike) McCrite of Olive Branch, Illinois; a daughter-in-law, Carolyn Helderman of Whitewater; two sisters, Flora Wiseman and Jean (Ray) Green of Whitewater; 11 grandchildren, April (Matt) Kibble, Jill (Tim) Allen, Chris (Jackie) Nance, Matthew (Alaina) Helderman, Derek (Jennifer) Helderman, Nicholas McCrite, Ryan (Heather) Livingston, Jessica Livingston, Justin (Brittney) Helderman, Cody (Ashley) Helderman and Danielle Helderman; 11 great-grandchildren, Hillary, Dwight, Jesse (Kendra), Katie, Wyatt, Dallas, Reid, Landon, Josh, Megan and Jake; and a great-great-grandchild, Azriel.

She was preceded in death by a son, James Dennis Helderman; a sister, Irene Trentham; and two brothers, John Williams and Jr. Williams.

Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday in the B chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

Funeral service will be at noon Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Revs. Joe Allen and Eddie Rhodes officiating. Interment will be in Stroderville Cemetery near Whitewater.

The family suggests contributions be made in Mildred's memory to Bethlehem General Baptist Church or Southeast Hospice. A special thanks to caregivers Helen Scholz, Mary Craft and Jan Farrar and Southeast Hospice.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting mccombsfuneralhome.com.