A celebration of life for Mrs. Helen Johnson Isbell, 93, of Talladega will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 14, 2024, at Peace Missionary Baptist Church. Interment will be in Pine Hill Memorial Park. Mrs. Isbell will lie in state at the church one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Pine Hill Memorial Park. Visitation for Mrs. Isbell will be from 4-7 p.m. on Saturday, April 13, 2024.

Mrs. Helen Johnson-Isbell was born in Childersburg, Alabama to the union of Henry Roosevelt and Willie Mae Johnson on September 1, 1930. She peacefully departed from this world in her home surrounded by loved ones on April 1, 2024. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sisters, Dorothy Mae Millender, Fannie Mae McClurkin, and Reverend Jura Mae Favors.

Mrs. Isbell received the Lord as her Savior at an early age at Peace Missionary Baptist Church under Reverend Austin. She later moved her membership to Greater Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. B.E. McKinney. Mrs. Helen actively served on the Usher Board and was a member of and served as the secretary of the McKinney Singers.

Mrs. Helen attended Westside High School. She was intelligent, wise, and an avid reader. In her younger years, she often visited the library and during the spring and summer months she loved sitting under the tree reading a book. She had a wealth of knowledge about history and politics. Mrs. Helen grew up in an era where African Americans were not allowed to vote and had limited rights. She became a registered voter soon after the passing and implementation of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Because she held these rights in such high regards, Mrs. Isbell voted until she was not physically able to cast her vote in person. Mrs. Helen had a sense of humor, was witty and had a way with words. She could come up with some of the craziest sayings. She also loved watching sports with her grandson, especially football. She had the opportunity to watch her last Super Bowl in 2024.

Mrs. Isbell was passionate about gardening and, in her younger years, made Christmas and floral arrangements. But what many knew about her is her mastery in the kitchen and love she put into her food. With the simplest of ingredients, she created culinary master pieces that would make your taste buds dance. Her grilled steaks were mouthwatering and legendary in the family. Mrs. Helen was supportive and dedicated to her children and she also showed her love through her cooking. She was also hardworking and dedicated to her job. She never called out sick unless she was hospitalized. She retired from the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind where she was highly respected, admired and appreciated. She loved to travel and after retiring, traveling became her past time. Mrs. Helen often traveled with her children and sometimes with her sister, Dorothy Mae. She enjoyed her life.

To carry on her legacy, Mrs. Isbell leaves to cherish her memories: ten children, Patricia Ann Johnson of Cleveland, OH, Freddie Mae Reynolds of Jonesboro, GA, Ruthie Love of Jackson, MI, Janice Isbell of Fayetteville, GA, Ronald Hayes Isbell of Montgomery, AL, Terry Wayne Isbell of Talladega, AL, Denise Johnson-Isbell of Jonesboro, GA, Wanda Lanette Isbell of Jonesboro, GA, Michael (Gloria) Isbell of Houston, TX, and Stacy Nichole Isbell of Talladega, AL; thirty-three grandchildren, fifty-two great grands, twenty-seven great-great grandchildren; a host of special nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family members and friends.