“Her children rise up and call her blessed … many daughters have done virtuously but thou excellest them all.†Proverbs 31:28-29
During the early morning hours of November 16th, 2010, while surrounded by her loving family, Helen D. Rouse Tester peacefully entered heaven to meet her Lord and Saviour and be reunited with her beloved husband.
Helen was born September 4, 1927, to the late Ben and Ruth Milam Rouse, in Johnson City, TN. Helen accepted Christ as her personal saviour and began a lifetime of faithful service to the Lord and his church. Helen lived out that faith and service to others as a pastor’s wife with her husband for 17 years in area churches in the Holston and Watauga Associations.
Following a tragic automobile accident in 1969, Helen’s service centered around caring for her quadriplegic husband in their home for over 30 years. As well as her faithful ministry, she will be most fondly remembered for her unyielding devotion to her husband and her unselfish love and nurturing to her family.
Helen was an active member of Greenwood Baptist Church, where she attended regularly with her family. Her lifetime of commitment and devotion to her family served as an inspiration to all who knew her. She was the picture of a Proverbs 31 woman and an example of faith and love to her family and friends.
In addition to her parents, Helen was preceded in death by her loving husband, Reverend Charles R. Tester; and her brother, Benjamin Wade Rouse.
She is survived by two daughters and their husbands, Reverend Harold and Ruth McNabb, Unicoi, Denny and Gay Friday, Gray; six grandchildren, Steve and Lisa McNabb Jones, Chuck and Haley McNabb, Ben and Candy McNabb, Eric and Becky Friday Donahue, Jamey and Jennifer Friday, Chad and Suzanne Friday Vannoy; fourteen great-grandchildren, Seth Jones, Michaela Jones, Tori Donahue, Madison Friday, Madelyn McNabb, Natalie Donahue, Anthony Donahue, Meghan Friday, Lydia McNabb, Zach McNabb, Caleb McNabb, Colby McNabb, Haley Vannoy and Luke Vannoy; her dear sister, Imogene Rouse Campbell; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at Greenwood Baptist Church in Johnson City, TN, on Friday, November 19th, 2010, at 7:00 pm.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm preceding the service.
A graveside service will be held at Happy Valley Memorial Park in Elizabethton, TN, Saturday, November 20th, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. Her grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Everyone is asked to meet the family at the cemetery at 10:50 a.m. on Saturday.
For those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Greenwood Baptist Church Building Fund, PO Box 4593, Johnson City, TN 37602.
The family would like to express special appreciation to the nurses and staff of NHC and Amedisys Hospice for their loving care to Helen during her final days battling Alzheimer’s.
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.†II Timothy 4:7
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family and viewed online at www.tetrickfuneralhome.com or faxed to (423) 610-7177.
Arrangements for the Tester family are in the care of Tetrick Funeral Services, 3001 Peoples St., Johnson City, TN 37604. (423) 610-7171.
