Helen Keyser's Obituary
Helen passed peacefully over to Heaven on September 13, 2013 at The Haven at Highland Creek. She was born April 14, 1923 in Huntington, WV to Henry and Bernice Nixon Rohrbach. She as the oldest of four children and the only girl. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her three brothers (Ted, Paul and Ralph Ronhrbach) and her husband of 66 years, Gene Keyser.
She did not have an easy childhood as her father passed away when she was 12 during the Great Depression. Her mother kept the family together and fed with the help of her farmer brothers and The Salvation Army. Helen did well in school even making straight 100’s in Latin which helped late in life as she transcribed doctor’s notes (typing at 100 words a minute).
Helen joined the Navy Waves during WWII and was based in San Diego where she made lifelong friends. Gene joined her there at the end of the war coming from the Marine Corps in the South Pacific. They were married in Yuma, Arizona, on the way back to WV. Their union produced two daughters, Sandra Moreland (Dwayne) and Terry
Downs (Rev. Fernando). These girls gave them five grandchildren, Jennifer Payne (Harry), Heath Moreland (Noel), Sean Moreland (Dana), and Elizabeth Everette, and Dan Downs and seven great grandchildren. Oh how they loved the little ones.
A service to celebrate Helen’s life will be held at James Funeral Home on Friday, September 20, 2013 at 1 PM with visitation starting at 12:00 Noon prior to the funeral service. Helen’s son-in-law, Rev Fernando Downs will conduct the service. Burial will be immediately afterward at Gethsemane Memorial Park in Charlotte. In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial to the Salvation Army or the Alzheimer Association.
The family wishes to thank all the loving staff of the Haven and Hospice off Lake Norman for their wonderful care the last two years. Mother we miss you and your bright smile. We know you are enjoying Heaven with your family and friends. We love you and will see you soon in our heavenly home.
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