Helen Morgan Maddox Nuzzi

Helen Morgan Maddox Nuzzi, 93, of Kitty Hawk, N.C. and formerly of Lynchburg, Va., passed away on October 2, 2022, from a chronic heart condition.

Helen was born on March 24, 1929, in Gladys, Va., to the late Marion Nathaniel Maddox and Roberta Alice Phillips Maddox. In addition to her parents, Helen was preceded in death by her daughter Brenda Nuzzi Parisi, her grandson, John Paul Parisi, and nine siblings.

Helen graduated from the class of 1949 at Brookville High School, where she played basketball. Following high school, she continued her education at Lynchburg College, where she was a point guard for the women’s basketball team.

After her time at Lynchburg College, Helen went to work for her older brother, John Maddox, in Virginia Beach. John was one of the earliest franchisees of the now ubiquitous soft-serve chain Dairy Queen. While in Virginia Beach, she met her future husband and father of her children, Nicholas R. Nuzzi, Sr., who was stationed at the Oceania Naval Base.

Helen gave birth to her daughter Brenda in 1952 and her son Nicholas Jr. (“Nickie”) in 1953. She enjoyed getting to know her in-laws, especially Nick Sr.’s parents “Grandma and Grandpa Nuzzi,” while living in New York after getting married.

Helen’s life as a navy wife took her and her family from New York to North Africa in what was then French Morocco. She also lived in Hutchinson, Kan., and again in Virginia Beach, moving back to Lynchburg in the early 1960s following her separation. Helen worked for K-Mart for 30 years and retired in 1998.

Helen’s golden years were spent continuously with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She could most often be found relaxing in the home of one of her family members, or out of town seeing the world with her son or grandchildren.

Helen will be remembered for her unwavering faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the relentless care of her family, and her love of travel. Helen visited over 40 states, from the southernmost county in Hawaii, to the Arctic Ocean in Alaska. Helen also traveled to numerous countries worldwide and continued journeying until shortly before her death.

Helen is survived by her son Nicholas R. Nuzzi, Jr. and his wife Carol, of Kitty Hawk, NC; six grandchildren, Brian Clemmons, Andrea Parisi, Nicholas Parisi, Nicholas Nuzzi, Sidney Nuzzi, and Rose Nuzzi; three great-grandchildren, Lilian Solorzano-Parisi, Adreanna Williams, and Donato Williams; one sister, Edythe Mullagh; and dozens of cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, October 23, 2022, from 2:00 p.m – 4:00 p.m at Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory, 220 Breezewood Dr. Lynchburg, Va. Helen’s funeral service will be held on Monday, October 24, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Stephen Willis of Compassion Church of the Nazarene officiating. Interment will be held at Spring Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made to the Bill Graham Evangelical Association at www.billygraham.org.

Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.