Helen Jones Griner

Helen Jones Griner, 75, of Drexel, NC went home to be with her Lord on Thursday, September 1, 2011. Born in Matthews, GA on November 11, 1935, she was the daughter of the late Hubert Jones and Hattie Pennington Jones.Helen was a devoted Christian who loved serving the Lord and lived to help others. She was a member of Drexel First Baptist Church where she was a deacon, director of senior adult Sunday school, a member of the Senior Adult Ministry Committee, a member of the Joy Group, chair of the Mission Committee, and served on the Van Ministry Committee. Helen worked as a teacher in both Birmingham, AL and Chattanooga, TN before moving to Drexel, where she retired from the Burke County School System after 24 years. She taught at George Hildebrand Junior High School and East Burke Middle School.A loving wife, mother, and grandmother, Helen is survived by her sons, Richmond Lee Griner, II, and wife, Joyce, of Clemmons, NC and Jonathan Neil Griner and wife, Cheryl, of Charlotte, NC; grandchildren, Madeline Claire Griner, Richmond Lee Griner, III, and Jaclyn Amanda Griner; sisters, Syble J. Broyles and husband, Bob, of Nashville, TN and Nan Bowman and husband, Archie, of Pageland, SC; and a sister-in-law, LaFern Jones Leslie and husband, Al, of Atlanta, GA.In addition to her parents, Helen was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Richmond Lee Griner, and a brother, Lewis Jones.The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, September 5, 2011 at Drexel First Baptist Church with Rev. Tito Madrazo officiating. Burial will follow in Burke Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center. Memorial contributions may be made to Drexel First Baptist Mission Fund, P.O. Box 308, Drexel, NC 28619.