Helen Louise Lynn

Helen Louise Lynn, the quintessential Southern lady with a touch of sass, won her victory over this life and claimed her Heavenly home on September 26, 2026 in Selma, Alabama.

Helen was the daughter of the late Billy and Genevieve Lynn and grew up on Greene Street in Augusta, Georgia in the 50’s and 60’s. She is a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Augusta, where she once delighted in playing handbells and performing in a handbell quartet.

Helen’s professional life was varied and vibrant. She worked in Sales and Quality Control, but her greatest joy was teaching. She taught U.S. History, Citizenship, and Economics at A.R. Johnson Health Science & Engineering Magnet High School in Augusta, where she took special pride in guiding students through the Rivers Project. She later taught at her alma mater, the Academy of Richmond County High School.

A graduate of Augusta College, Helen earned both her undergraduate and Master’s degree there, writing her thesis on Alaskan Totem poles – a subject she adored for its history and storytelling. One of her greatest joys was commissioning a Nathan Jackson totem pole – “Called by the Raven” in honor of her daddy in 2008, which stands at John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School in Augusta.

Helen’s love of learning was insatiable. She even studied Art History in Italy, wrote poetry, crafted Chrismon ornaments for churches, collected rocks and sand on her travels, and survived cancer with grit and grace. She lived boldly and joyfully - always “matchy, matchy,” as she liked to say. Patriotism was one of her favorite lessons, cheered for the Green Bay Packers, followed NASCAR (especially Tony Stewart), loved Formula One, and never missed the Masters.

Once a Rainbow Girl, always a Rainbow Girl. Helen was Installed as Worthy Advisor of Rosemary Assembly in Augusta in 1965 and served as Grand Drill Leader of Georgia in 1966. She was a Master of the Grand Cross of Color and received her Majority in 1969. She served as personal Secretary to George Hamilton, Supreme Deputy of Georgia, IORG 1973-1978. Later, she served South Carolina with distinction as Grand Deputy from 2013 – 2017 and as a Senior Executive from 2014 – 2023. She helped co-coordinate ritual competitions at the 2022 Supreme Assembly Sessions in Oklahoma City, OK. She was an extraordinary role model to girls and adults alike. Helen LOVED Rainbow.

Helen was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star at Martinez Chapter # 464 in Augusta, Georgia, and Aromaz-Dynasty # 163 Daughters of the Nile in Irondale, Alabama.

Helen loved the charm and grace of Southern homes, and six years ago she fell in love with a house in Selma, Alabama. She made it her perfect home — a place filled with beauty, comfort, and the touches that reflected her vibrant spirit. She embraced smalltown life wholeheartedly, knowing it was exactly where she was meant to be.

Helen loved her dad, travel, Alaska, history, theatre, music, and art. She adored butter pecan ice cream, gummy bears, decorating for Christmas, jewelry, the colors pink and red, furs, flamingos, and her azaleas at every home she lived in. She treasured Tacky Light Tours and Christmas Village Lunches with “The Chicks.” She loved her cars – The Lady, The Limozeen, The Dutchess, and lastly Henry. She was eclectic, joyful, and full of stories from a life lived with curiosity and courage. She will be missed by many.

We extend a heartfelt thanks to Pennie Craig, Uleter Nix, and Mary Bradley for their loving care of Ms. Helen.

Helen is now able to “run, and jump, and play” and knows that new adventures always await – she is now on her ultimate adventure.

Wisdom from Helen:

“God’s grace is present in my life everyday”

“I promise to keep in my heart the love of wonder, a childlike desire to see what’s next, and to continue living according to the rules.”

“You never know if this one little thing you do might be the biggest thing in Somebody’s life.”

“I like to ride a Merry-Go-Round. I always know what I want-I want the brass ring. I try to grab that brass ring as the ride goes faster and faster, as the horses go up and down, up and down. I do my best, and I reach my farthest. I do everything I can to snatch it with my fingers. I always think I’m doing enough to grab the prize. Sometimes when the ride stops, there in my hand I’ll see the shiny golden circle. Sometimes, I find my hand is empty, and that’s when I want to ride all over again.”

“There is a distinct difference between happiness and joy. Happiness is an emotion, and when things go well, we are very happy. When our circumstances change or become adverse, happiness fades. Joy, however, is a gift of God. It comes with a contentment and enjoyment of every part of our lives. It is found deep in our hearts. Even when our lives are difficult, we can still understand God’s wonderful love for us and know JOY.”

With Love from one of Helen’s Students:

I met Helen in August 1993 when I was a freshman in High School. School started on a Friday that year, and she had the nerve to assign an essay for homework the first weekend! Then, she had the nerve to give me a B! Well, that certainly got my attention, and she has had my attention ever since. She was a teacher, a role model, a mentor, and a friend. She became family.

Helen encouraged me and all her students to know and exercise our rights as Americans, including participating in democracy. She didn’t teach by telling us what to do, she was a living example for us to follow. Here are some of the lessons that stuck with me so hard I have been passing them on to others through the years:

• Follow directions, or accept the consequences
• Your favorite subject doesn’t determine your career…it can be your hobby
• Always ask for what you need/want…the worst they can do is say no
• More is not always better…sometimes it is just more
• Pay attention today, you only get one chance
• Get comfortable being uncomfortable

But the most important thing Helen taught me is that the most valuable asset is the people around us. I am grateful for the coincidence that made Helen my 9th grade Citizenship teacher, because the 33 wonderful years of friendship since then are no coincidence at all, but a gift from God.

~ Christy

A Tribute to Our Hettie: The Grandmother We Chose, and Who Chose Us Back:

Our family met Hettie through Rainbow, and from the very beginning she stepped into our lives with the kind of love that feels both unexpected and perfectly timed. Cheyenne had just started her Rainbow journey and was told she needed to learn Charity’s lecture to earn the station in her Assembly. So, we reached out to Helen for help — and that single decision changed everything.

We drove to Augusta with Cheyenne’s pumpkin full of practice materials, and Hettie still laughs about that day. That moment began our journey with Helen, who quickly became our Hettie. She traveled with us, encouraged Cheyenne, and in true grandmother fashion, joined us for Grand Assemblies across multiple states. Cheyenne grew up with her by her side, and Hettie loved every minute of it.

As our family grew, we adopted our kids — Addison, Mason, and Rosalynn — and Hettie embraced them just as fully. One Christmas trip to Dahlonega sealed it forever. Surrounded by lights, laughter, and the magic of the season, we asked her to be our adoptive grandmother. She said yes, and with that signature Hettie confidence added, “And you can call me Hettie.”

From then on, she became a grandmother figure to us. She taught us love, kindness, and how to tackle any problem with grace. She was our sounding board, our supporter, and when needed, our brutally honest truthteller. If you know Hettie, you know she’ll tell you exactly what she thinks — and you’ll be better for it.

And of course, there were the moments that still make us laugh. Like the time we mentioned Tignall, Georgia. Hettie simply could not understand why anyone would choose Tignall. A tiny town with a Dollar General, a gas station, and maybe a hundred people — she teased us endlessly about it.

Hettie didn’t just join our family. She shaped it. She loved us fiercely, guided us gently, and stood with us through every chapter. She is proof that family isn’t always about blood — sometimes it’s about pumpkins, Christmas lights, and the kind of love that says “yes” without hesitation.

I could write 100 stories or books about what she told us.

~ Letha

Who was Helen?

She was smart, she knew her subject matter – especially the Constitution.She cared for her students and wanted them to be good citizens.

She was detailed oriented in everything whether it was a travel itinerary or a post on Facebook.“Critical path” was one of her mantras – the process or steps to complete tasks – not random at all!

She was creative, whether it was her poetry, decorating for Christmas, or making Chrismons. She was meticulous – nothing half way!!

She was an “out of the box” thinker, making her unique!Another mantra, Ask – you may get a “yes” if not – you haven’t lost anything!She had quite the vocabulary! “She knew words”She was generous with not only her time but with her resources. If someone needed help painting a room, she’d volunteer.

Anytime she saw a soldier or policeman, she’d go up, shake their hand and talk. In many cases if this took place in a restaurant she’d pay for their meal. This happened often!And in every prayer, she ever offered, she held onto one word: manifestation — the belief that intention, faith, and action could bring forth something meaningful.

Helen was my first friend, my confident, my sounding board. She opened me up to a world of adventures. There was always laughter and lots of it – sometimes ending with a “snort.”She enriched my life and her absence will leave a void.

~ Judy

A Poem from Helen says it all for Trey and Michelle

To 2 Friends

How can I say how special you are to me?

When we're together, I don't feel like it's two of you and me; I feel like it's three of us.

You have blessed me in more ways at more times than you may think possible. We've laughed together and cried together, but our lives have never been dull together. We have shared the depths of sadness and the heights of joy. We've been serious, and we've giggled a lot. We've been happy for each other and sad with each other.

There have been times when we've shared some very personal thoughts, dreams, ideas.

Sometimes I've been the teacher; sometimes you have been. Sometimes I've felt like a Mother, sometimes like the child. There have been moments we were sisters and brothers together, sometimes we were best friends. Our roles change constantly, but in the end always

I love youI cherish the day you came into my life.Thank you for allowing me to "cross the line."

~ Trey and Michelle

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on October 8, 2026 at the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 825 Greene St, Augusta, GA 30901. The family will receive friends prior to the service at 12 noon, with burial to follow the service at Westover Memorial Park, 2601 Wheeler Rd, Augusta, GA 30904.

Memorials can be made to The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, and sent to: Supreme Assembly IORG, 315 E. Carl Albert Pkwy, McAlester, OK 74501.

Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home, 2900 Citizens Pkwy, Selma, AL 36701 were in charge of the arrangements prior to the service.

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907, are in charge of the services.