Helen Birkhead Helen Modean Barnett Birkhead was born in Yell County, Arkansas, April 28, 1924 to Lewis Barnett and Ola Mae Kent Barnett. She was the oldest of four children-having three younger brothers who have all predeceased her: Kent, Herbert and Tommy Barnett. Helen has lived in Yell County most of her life and graduated from Dardanelle High School in 1943. Helen married John Thomas Birkhead on August 7, 1945. They were married almost 67 years before his death in 2012. Their union grew to include two daughters, Gerry and husband Mike Summers of Russellville, Dianna and husband Gordon Miller of Dardanelle; four grandchildren, Leslie Bandy and John Summers of Fayetteville, Thomas Miller, James (Tiffany) Miller of Dardanelle; six great grandchildren, Harrison and Annabelle Martin, Jack Benton and Walker Bandy of Faytteville, Maeleigh and Chap Miller of Dardanelle. Helen's working years began in her daddy's cotton fields in what is now Delaware Bay, hoeing and picking cotton. After graduating from high school, she worked for the Boyce/Gleason families at The Dardanelle Mercantile and the Woodson Family at Woodson's Department Store. During World War II, Helen was a true Rosie the Riveter, working at the Boeing Airplane Factory in Wichita, Kansas, sewing linings in B52 Bombers. Helen worked at the Arkansas River Valley Regional Library as administrative assistant for 25 years. This position allowed Helen to meet people throughout the region and also to represent Yell County. She has been a member of the Dardanelle First Baptist Church since 1954, and she served her church, community and school in many different capacities. Helen has lived her life helping others. If costumes were needed, she sewed. If transportation was needed, she drove. If meals or refreshments were needed, she cooked. Not only is Helen known to her grandchildren and great grandchildren as Momma Helen, many of their friends and others know her as Momma Helen. The day of April 27, 2014 was proclaimed by Mayor McGee as HELEN MODEAN BARNETT BIRKHEAD DAY, in honor of her 90th birthday. Funeral services will be held at 2:00P.M., Thursday, December 18, 2014 at the Dardanelle First Baptist Church with Pastor Carl Fair officiating. Burial will be in Brearley Cemetery in Dardanelle. Visitation will be held Thursday, 1:00P.M. to 2:00P.M. at the church prior to the service. Pallbearers will be Mike Summers, Gordon Miller, John Summers, Thomas Miller, James Miller, Newell Carter and Jim George. In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations may be made to the Dardanelle First Baptist Church or the Arkansas River Valley Regional Library. Arrangements are by Cornwell Funeral Home in Dardanelle. Online Guest Book and Condolences at www.cornwellfuneralhomes.com.