Helen Jean Withers Irvin, 87 years old of Dunbar, died peacefully on Friday, February 22, 2013, at Hubbard Hospice House West, South Charleston, following a severe stroke. She had suffered symptoms of Alzheimers Disease for the past 5 years.

She was born May 30, 1925, to Charles Robert Withers and Emma Jean Rowsey Withers in Mason County.

She married the love of her life, Charles Lewis Irvin, July 5, 1942 while still a student at Hannan High School. She followed him to Army bases from Texas to California until he was shipped to fight in "The Battle of the Bulge", Germany with troops of Patton's Third Army, Black Hawk Division.

She was mother to Mary Jean Irvin Cottrill of Poca, Penny Sue Irvin Jarvis and Connie Lou Irvin of Dunbar. She has 4 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by one brother, William Keith Withers of Ashton. She leaves many nieces and nephews to morn her passing. She became foster mother to Terry Renae and Willa Ann Lilly, her nieces, upon the death of their mother and her sister, Mary Ann Lilly.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Emma Withers, sisters, Willa Francis Withers and Mary Ann Lilly, brother, Charles Rowsey Withers, and her husband, Charles L. Irvin.

She accepted Jesus as her Saviour as a young girl. She became a member of First Baptist church in Dunbar in 1953. She stated often how she had trusted God always to care for her and to provide for her, especially since she was widowed at the young age of 42.

She was a founder of Kanawha Valley Horsemans Association. She loved to attend horse shows with Connie and Jane Elizabeth Jarvis Taylor and great granddaughter, Sierra Madison Comer. She was the proud owner of a saddle bred named TMF "Gonna Give 'em Helen" at the time of her death. Most of her friends still living are "horse people" who fondly addressed her as "Granny".

She was a member of Dunbar Women's Club for many years. She was a founding member of a neighborhood women's friendship group called AMAZADA. She never met a stranger and would talk to anyone as long as they wanted. She was always loving and giving unless she had a reason to be otherwise. She once suggested to a woman at a North Carolina horse show, when the lady had attempted to kick her "granddog Phred", to not try that again and to not come along that area of horse stalls either. The woman was not near her or the dog the rest of the show. She knew how to be '"assertive" when necessary.

She was known to be an enthusiastic worker in everyway, whether as a volunteer or employee. She became a beautician in 1968 after her husband's death, owning the Kut 'n Kurl Shop in Dunbar. She worked several years as a cook at Dunbar High School. She worked as a data collector for various marketing surveys. She last worked for Dr. Mukamala, in Charleston, until a stroke forced her to "retire" at age 82.

She loved socializing, has a good sense of humor, but could not repeat a joke. She was always ready to laugh and have a good time. She was unhappy while at the nursing home her last 7 month of life. She said, "There's nobody here but OLD people!" Many of tnose residents fell in love with her. She learned to play BINGO there and became a winner often. She became a painter there also. She thought she could never "draw a stick man" before. She was never too old to learn something new. She was a lot of fun.

Her daughters will tell you she was an exceptional mother and role model. She enjoyed her family and was always supportive. She loved unconditionally, but still disciplined when needed. She lived what she taught.

She has many friends and family members who have greeted her in Heaven today.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, February 25 at Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar with Pastor John Rutherford of Faith Fellowship officiating. Burial will follow in Beale Chapel Cemetery, Apple Grove, WV.

Friends may call from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, February 24 at the Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar.