Helen Britt Barker

Helen Britt Barker, lovingly known as Mom Helen, passed away on the morning of July 14th, 2023. She was born in Stone Mountain, Georgia on August 31st, 1928, the second daughter of Earnest and Vanis Britt. At nearly 95 years old, she entered her eternal rest.

Married soon after high school, she and her husband moved to Columbia, South Carolina, where they started a family and raised three daughters. Together, they also expanded the family business of home construction and real estate, enjoying 23 years of success in the industry.

The foundation of her life was her abiding faith in Jesus Christ, which sustained her through all of life’s twists and turns. She never wavered in adversity, but simply looked forward and kept working. In 1970, she returned to Georgia, where she worked for many years in the real estate industry, first at Northside Realty and then with Peggy Slappey Properties. When a recession occurred, she simply started a new business, opening Desserts by Helen, a bakery and catering business in Decatur, Georgia. Cheesecakes were her specialty, and that tradition of baking cheesecakes lives on.

Work was important to her, but faith, family, and home were her top priorities. She opened her heart and home with loving hospitality, which included hosting parties with great food, especially desserts. She often gave shelter to those in need and was a constant source of encouragement to everyone.

Her great joy in life was the passion and privilege to pray for those in need. Her family loved and relied on her prayers, always calling Mom Helen to help pray for them through their trials. She did not like the word “retirement”, and when she could no longer work vigorously selling real estate, she simply became the company “Prayer Warrior”, visiting all the real estate agents in their communities and offering encouragement and prayer.

Mom Helen was preceded in death by her parents Ernest O. Britt and Vanis Pittard Britt, her sister Corrine Britt Bonner and her former husband John J. Barker. She is survived by her three daughters, Peggy (Tommy) Slappey, Johnetta (Terry) Kirk, and Mary (Mike) Kelley, grandchildren and great grandchildren:
Glen Slappey - Jordan and Georgia Britt; John (Julie) Slappey - Lily, Cora and Harper; Wayne (Allyson) Kelley - Helena, Mikaela, Tripp and Miles; Sarah (Brandon) Davis - Kenzie and Bryce; Cindria Kirk Brado - Ryan, Adam and Mark; Lisa (Jeff) Gabriel - Joseph, Olivia and Peter; Heather (Sean) Motise; Joanna Kirk (Josh) Dotson.

“She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed.” Proverbs 31:27- 28

Mom Helen's Celebration of Life Service will be held on Sunday, July 16 at 1:30 pm at Neighborhood Church, Buford with Pastor Torrey Herrin officiating.  She will lie in state from 1:00 pm until the start of the service.  Interment will follow at Stone Mountain City Cemetery.  The family will receive friends on Saturday, July 15 from 5 pm until 7 pm at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Mom Helen's memory to Home of Hope at Gwinnett Children's Shelter.   https://homeofhopegcs.org/donate/   

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