Helen Rose Hepworth Dougherty, 86, of Smithville and Mears, MI, went home to be with her Lord on December 23, 2020. 

Helen was born in Pentwater, Michigan on March 15th, 1934.  Helen eagerly sang every Sunday at Faith Baptist Church of Smithville where her son Al Mahan is pastor. Her beautiful alto voice would harmonize to many of her favorite songs - Wonderful Peace, In the Garden, Jesus Paid It All, What A Day That Will Be, etc.  She loved and was so beloved by the church members and will be greatly missed.

At family gatherings, she could be found hosting a favorite family meal, around a piano singing hymns, or at a table playing a game (beating everyone). While in Michigan, she would minister every Saturday at the Oceana Medical Center singing for the many hurting folks that needed a heavenly voice of encouragement. While in Tennessee, she would sing every month with the folks of Faith Baptist Church ministering to the folks at NHC. She loved to go for rides especially beholding the beauty of the lakes and mountains of Tennessee. 

Helen worked diligently in factories all her life, providing for her five children. She is survived by one sister Katherine Belk of Belmont, MI, five children: Sharon (Maurice) Rees of Corbin KY, Al Mahan (Denise) of Smithville, TN, Teresa Richards of Sand Lake, MI, Carolyn Root of Smithville, TN, Kim (Lee) Lleonart of Sparta, MI, 12 grandchildren: Matt Richards, Steve Root, Rachel Mahan, Jon Mahan, Jessica Root, David Richards, Alisha Summers, Christina Latture, Michelle Kamp, Matthew Rees, Maurice (Gene) Rees Jr., Phil Root, 26 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild - leaving behind a heritage of salvation in Jesus Christ.

She has gone to be with the Lord at the glad reunion with her husband Vern Dougherty (2011), two grandchildren Lalayna Rees (December 4, 2020), Sharolyn Rees (1975), one great grandchild Brookelyn Brazelton (2012), Father and mother William (1977) and Rosie (1963) Hepworth, eight brothers and seven sisters who have gone on before, Paul Hepworth  (2000) Ruth Seaver (2001), Mildred Grant (1943), Franklin Hepworth (2008)  great-grandfather of the renowned McCaughey Septuplets of Iowa, Bertha Smith (2001), Floyd Hepworth (1994), Dorothy Ramsvig (2006), Arnold Hepworth (1925), Donald Hepworth (2007), Denzil Hepworth (2015), Jesse Hepworth (2012), Marvin Hepworth (1992), Thomas Hepworth (1937), Jewel Brower (2016), Wilma VanHaitsma (2013).

DeKalb Funeral Chapel, Smithville, was in charge of the arrangements. 

Smithville Review

(Smithville, Tenn.)

Dec. 30, 2020