Helen Smith Edens

Helen Smith Edens, 79 of Gilbert, South Carolina passed away on Sunday, January 6, 2019 at her residence. She was born on January 20, 1939 in Meadowview, Virginia to the late Howard and Edna Lewis Smith. Her husband, John Burley Edens, III preceded her in death in 2006. Mrs. Edens was a long time member of Beulah United Methodist Church. Helen graduated from Elizabethton High School. She earned her Bachelor's degree from East Tennessee State University and her Master's and Doctorate degrees from The University of Virginia. Survivors include her son, John Howard Edens (Sherri); daughter, Elizabeth Edens Cline (Brian); sister, Jean Johnson; six grandchildren, John D Edens, Alaina Edens Ray, James A. Edens, Emily G. Edens, William A. Cline and Aaron B. Cline; and two great grandchildren, Jim Edens and Lilly Edens. Services will be held on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. at Beulah United Methodist Church, 161 Beulah Church Road, Gilbert, SC. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will be held Thursday, January 10, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. in Happy Valley Memorial Gardens, Elizabethton, TN. Memorials may be made to the Alderman Library - University of Virginia, P.O. Box 400109, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904. Thompson Funeral Home of Lexington is assisting the family.