Helen Elizabeth Stephens

Helen Elizabeth Stephens, age 55, Sylva died Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at Memorial Campus in Asheville, NC. Helen was born January 31, 1957 in Swain County. She is the daughter of the late James and the late Wilma (Queen) Ward. She married Harry Michael Stephens. She was preceded in death by four sisters, Patricia Sue Ward, Sue Hightower, Margaret Ann Ward, and Hilda Ward. Helen was employed as a ward clerk at Skyland Care Center, Sylva. She loved reading and working crossword puzzles. She loved to paint and enjoyed spending time with her beloved dogs, Hunter, Bosco, and Connie. She is survived by her husband: Harry Michael Stephens, a brother, James Ward of Bryson City and a sister, Joan Yount of Sylva. The funeral will be held 2:00 pm on Saturday, February 25 at Appalachian Funeral Services Chapel, 165 Skyland Drive, Sylva, NC with Rev. David Reeves officiating. Burial will be in Hyatts Chapel Cemetery in Qualla, NC. The family will receive friends an hour before the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Jackson County Humane Society, PO Box 298, Sylva, NC 28779 or the National Kidney Foundation, 4819 Park Road Suite C, Charlotte, NC 28209. An online registry is available at www.appalachianfuneralservices.com. .