Mary Helen Lankford Falwell

Mary Helen Lankford Falwell passed away on February 6, 2010 at the age of 90 following a long illness.

She was born on July 14, 1919, an only child to Thomas Lankford and Elveria Ballenger Lankford.

Mary Helen Falwell is survived by two sons, Samuel W. Falwell and his wife Gail, of Evington and Frederick B. Falwell and his wife Betty, of Lynchburg and a daughter, Suzette Falwell Lefebvre and her husband Ronald, of Charlottesville. Mary Helen is also survived by four grandchildren; Samuel\"™s two daughters Elizabeth D\"™Neill Falwell Trotter and Jacqueline Dawn Falwell and Frederick\"™s two sons, David Ballenger Falwell and Christopher Bernard Falwell.

Mary Helen was a long time member of the First Baptist Church in Lynchburg. While raising three children kept Mary Helen quite busy, she also enjoyed browsing antique shops with her friends and dappled in watercolors and oil painting. She was quite the artist for having no formal training.

Once her children were raised, diligence and determination secured her a position as the Deputy Clerk of the Circuit Court in Lynchburg where she worked until the age of retirement.

The family wishes to give special thanks to the staff of the Hospice of the Hills and Runk and Pratt Adult Residential Care Center on Leesville Road, Lynchburg, for all of their support, help and loving care.

The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. on Friday February 12, 2010 at Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg. A funeral service will be followed immediately at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Tharp Funeral Home, with the Reverend David N. Canady of Parkton NC, officiating. Burial will follow in Virginia Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Hospice of the Hills, 1900 Tate Springs Road, Lynchburg, 434-200-3204, or the Alzheimer\"™s Association of Central and Western Virginia Chapter, P.O. Box 823, Lynchburg, VA 24501, 434-845-8540.

Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family, (434) 237-9424.