Obituary of Helen Marie Darnell

Funeral services for Mrs. Helen Marie Darnell, of Bastrop, Louisiana will be held at 2 PM, Tuesday, September 11, 2018, at the Bonita Road Baptist Church, at 7204 Pine Grove Loop in Bastrop, Louisiana, with Pastor Casey Johnson officiating.  Interment will follow at the Bonita Road Baptist Church Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 5 – 7 PM, Monday, September 10, 2018, at Bonita Road Baptist Church

Helen Marie Darnell was born on June 15, 1928 in Union Springs, Alabama.   She passed away at Lagniappe Healthcare in Bastrop, Louisiana on Saturday, September 8, 2018, at the age of ninety.  She was preceded in death by her father, Otto Pelham Forsyth, and her mother, Marie Goins Abrahamson, her two sisters, Bette Mildred Elizabeth Caples, Marion Louissa Miller, her half-sister, Kay Annette VanDemark Larkin, and her granddaughter, Lisa Marie Miletello. 

She is survived by her loving husband of 47 years, William Altus Darnell, her children, Wanda Carol Simpson Nelson, Gay Elaine Simpson, Stephen Dale Simpson, Dana Marie Darnell Grayson, and her loving step-children, Linda Darnell Sloan and Richard Wayne Darnell.  She is also survived by a half-sister, Theresa Dowswell Purser and half-brother, Jimmy Dowswell.  She leaves behind the following grandchildren:  Mallory Elizabeth and Morgan Marie Grayson, Salvadore Joseph Miletello, IV, Wendy Marie Miletello Thomas, Mark Leon Miletello, Joey Christopher Miletello, Amy Danielle Murphy Porter, Cody Wayne Phipps; and her step-grandchildren: Heath and Randee Mann; and DwaineChristopher, Amy, Chris and Chad Darnell.    

She enjoyed being with her family and cooking, and her homemade rolls and pies cannot be duplicated.  She loved God and never hesitated to tell others about that love to friends and visitors.  She was always praying for her children and grandchildren. She loved to quote John 3:16.   Her devoted husband visited her daily for years at Lagniappe Healthcare, and remained by her side.  She will be missed. 

Bonita Road Baptist Church deacons will serve as pallbearers.

Honorary pallbearers are her great-grandsons; Samuel Miletello, Luke Miletello, Jon-Mark Miletello, Nicolas Miletello, Christian Miletello, Jacob Porter, Dylan Porter, and Gregory Thomas.

The family would like to thank Lagniappe Healthcare, and especially Molly, for caring for Helen.  She is no longer suffering and is in the presence of Jesus.  Memorial contributions may be made to Bonita Road Baptist Church, or your favorite charity.