Helen Tillman Barnett's Obituary
1925 Pioneer of Fort Lauderdale, Florida PassesHelen Tillman BarnettFebruary 15, 1917 to February 17, 2016The timeless Helen (“Honey” to her grandchildren, their families, and friends) of Fort Myers, FL, went to meet the Lord at the age of 99. She is reunited with Joshua “JJ” Barnett, her loving husband of 58 years. Her family moved to Ft. Lauderdale, FL in 1925. After graduating from Ft. Lauderdale High in 1936, she became a beautician. Helen met Jay in their Sunday School class at the first Christian Church in Ft. Lauderdale, where they were married. A year later, their daughter Virginia was born. After the war, they bought a chicken farm, where they also raised bunnies and turkeys. Thanks to her mother’s guidance, Helen was a talented seamstress who enjoyed creating and mending clothes for her entire family, including her grandchildren and their dolls in her later years. Jay & Helen helped start the Hollywood chapter of the United States Power Squadron; Jay becoming the first Commander and Helen becoming the first President of the Woman’s Auxiliary. They were members of the garden club, where they shared a passion for orchids, hibiscus, and bromeliads. Helen learned to arrange flowers artistically, which she often did for churches they helped establish in Pompano and Ft. Lauderdale. Jay bragged that every one of their homes increased in value thanks to her hard work and green thumb! They were the owners/operators of West Broward Utilities (water/sewage plant) and the land developers of Melaleuca Isles in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. In 1978, Jay & Helen retired to Fort Myers with their daughter and grandchildren. First Christian warmly embraced them into their new church family. They joined woodworking classes and made beautiful gifts like table and chair sets for their great-grandchildren. From her childhood church to First Christian, she faithfully sang alto in the choir. Alice Ford unveiled Helen’s talent for painting birds as she excelled in nature oil paintings that are cherished by her family. Jay & Helen happily offered up their 1000-acre ranch on Lake Marian, their RV, and varying blessings to churches, Christian organizations, Charlie Watson’s Boy Scout Troop, and individuals who touched their hearts and brought joy to their lives. For over 30 years, Jay (past Chairman of TCM) and Helen worked with their eternal friends at Taking Christ to Millions (TCM International). TCM educates native Christian leaders from more than 40 countries (who have the passion for reaching their own countries for Christ and already know the cultures and languages) to have successful ministries and are equipped for a lifetime of service. Jay & Helen purchased the printing press to print Bibles and educational training books for missionaries (including themselves and Virginia, who had the privilege to help take Bibles behind the Iron Curtain and other communist countries until 1978). Helen’s spirit is carried on in her devoted daughter Virginia B. Fricke. Honey’s bright smile and kisses will be forever missed by her grandchildren: Virginia Ann (husband Jeff Jonas), Bonnie Lynne (husband Scott Johnson), and James P. Fricke (beloved Amanda Stith). Her colorful life stories that spanned this past century will be fondly remembered by her great-grandchildren and retold to her great-great-grandchildren: The Jonas’ of Ft. Myers – Anna (daughter Christina), Sarah (husband Brian Angelson, daughter Bailey), and Stephan; Joshua Johnson of Hawaii (wife Taylor, daughter Lilah) and Dante Johnson of FSU (who Honey fondly called “my friend” for helping care for her after school and during college breaks). She leaves her gratitude and loving memories to her few surviving northern relatives and Ft. Lauderdale friends (hugs), her neighbors, church, and Sunday School friends that have been such a blessing to her and her family with selfless transportation, coveted prayers, up-lifting visitations, and sacrificially helping as a need arose. Preceding in death are her adored brother Wesley “Jack” Tillman and her parents Benjamin and Hattie (Arterberry) Tillman of Christopher, IL. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 5, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. at First Christian Church, 2061 McGregor Blvd, Ft. Myers, FL. Memorials may be made to Lake Aurora Christian Camp at www.lakeaurora.org or Taking Christ to Millions at http://www.tcmi.org/give/ in her honor. Condolences may be left to Helen’s family at www.fortmyersmemorial.com.
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