Birth Date: 11/28/1933
Deceased Date: 04/03/2021
Helen Gurley McLamb, age 87, died Saturday morning, April 3, 2021. Born November 28, 1933 in Johnston County she was a daughter of the late Willie Devie and Netie Williford Gurley. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Wilbert “Buck” McLamb, Jr.; brothers, William Kenneth Gurley, Billy Ray Gurley, and Bobby Sherwood Gurley; and sister, Joyce Gurley Odom. Mrs. Helen was a lifetime member of Tee’s Chapel Free Will Baptist Church in Brogden.
She was the most loving, considerate, kind-hearted, gentle and respectful person ever.
She cherished her family, friends and the simple things in life. She could be content enjoying God’s creations or the tranquility of the home she loved so dearly. She was, trustworthy, genuine, sincere and a true listener. She felt your hurt and your joy as you shared your struggles, life experiences and/or accomplishments with her. You could count on her for understanding, forgiveness and/or support day or night. She was generous, humble, genuine, sincere and selfless as she always put others first. She was a very quiet and reserved person so a lot of people were unaware of the extent of her thoughtful, gracious and good heartedness. She was a very hard worker and took pride in each and every job she had. She worked a couple of jobs prior to her final job in which she retired from working with the Johnston County Public Schools Food Service Program with over twenty years of service.
She was a loving wife. She was priceless, my mom, and an absolute gem and an amazing role model to me, my husband, our kids and grandkids. We were her oxygen; her world and she was ours. She is a beloved and irreplaceable treasure that has left us fragile, heartbroken and devastated with her passing. While we are decimated by our loss, we are genuinely fortunate and blessed with having had her in our lives, loving, teaching, and protecting us as we draw on our love and memories to get us thru.
A graveside service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 6, 2021 in Selma Memorial Gardens with Rev. Dennis Pollock officiating.
Surviving are her daughter, Jan Whitley and husband Jay; granddaughters, Jena Whitley Andrews and husband Taylor, and Jill Whitley Bragg and husband Josh, all of Smithfield; and great grandchildren, Maxton Andrews, Marin Andrews, and Jordan Bragg.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be sent to Tee’s Chapel FWB Church Youth, 6434 Brogden Road, Smithfield, NC 27577.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at parrishfh.com.
