Helen D. Stevenson

Helen Dorothy Bender Stevenson, 95, of Grayson, KY, formerly of Grand Rapids, MI, went to be with her Lord Sunday, May 14, 2023 after a long full life. Helen was born March 21, 1928 in Royal Oak, MI, to Charles William Riley and Gertrude Wood Riley. Helen worked seasonally at H & R Block for many years and later for Koeze Gourmet Nuts and Chocolates, both in Grand Rapids, MI. She was a devoted member of Kentwood Christian Church in Kentwood, MI, until her move to Grayson in 2002. In her spare time, Helen enjoyed reading and was a constant correspondent, keeping up with many family members and friends across the country. Aside from her parents, Helen was preceded in death by her first husband, Donald W. Bender and later her husband, Andrew B. Stevenson; as well as her beloved brother, William Riley. Great Helen, as she was known by her great-grandchildren, is survived by two sons, Tom (Jennie) Bender of Grayson, KY, and Rex (Robin) Bender of Atlanta, GA; three grandchildren, Don (Keila) Bender of Lexington, KY, Rebecca (Mitch Hall) Bender of Grayson, KY, and Michael Bender of Atlanta, GA; and two great-grandchildren, Kaitlynn (Camren Staton) Bender and Jakob Bender, all of Lexington, KY. Helen also leaves behind many family and friends, including her friends at Chapel House in Grayson, where she lived for fifteen years. The family would also like to acknowledge the staff at both Oakmont Manor in Flatwoods, KY and Kings Daughters Medical Center, in Ashland, KY, who took exemplary care of Helen in the last years of her life.
Funeral service will be held at Malone Funeral Home in Grayson on Wednesday, May 17. Friends may call at 5:00 in the evening with a service to follow that evening at 7:00 by Dr. Jim Girdwood. Helen will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband, Don, at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Grand Rapids, MI, 10:00 a.m. Friday. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made to the last charity that Helen supported, the Food Pantry at First Church of Christ Grayson. Donation can be made to: Community Food Pantry, 287 Pomeroy Street, Grayson KY 41143.

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