Tributes

Myrtle Beach…..Helen Creel Rich, left this life and went to heaven the 8th day of April 2011. She left to join her family there. Helen was in her beloved home in Myrtle Beach when she passed. She was born to George Julian Creel and Emma Cooper on the 23rd of December 1935, and grew up in Conway, SC where she attended, and graduated from Conway High School. She played in the band and was an excellent basketball player. Helen and her family lived in Myrtle Beach during the summer and her and her three siblings loved to play, swim and have fun on the beach. After graduating from Conway High School she attended and graduated from the Baptist Hospital Nursing School in Columbia, SC, where after passing the state board she became a LPN. Returning to Conway, SC, she worked in the Conway Hospital until she was called to become one of the first nurses to work at the Medical University of SC in Charleston, SC. After a few months she fell in love with a hometown man, Tom Rich and married him on March the 2nd 1957. After marriage they moved to northern Virginia, which was the beginning of Helens career as a Marine Corp Officers wife. This career took her across the United States, from Camp Lejune, NC to the west coast, and from Washington, DC to Newport, RI. Also Puerto Rico to South Korea and back to Charleston, SC and Parris Island, SC and many other place. In all of these duty stations, Helen was the true Marine Officers wife, she entertained and supported her husband’s career for over thirty years. Helen leaves behind her husband of fifty four years, Col. Tom Rich; two daughters, Julie Swartz and her husband Mike, and Young Cha Rich; two grandsons, Trevor Swartz and Noah Swartz; one granddaughter, Britney Helmkamp; and one great-granddaughter, Delaini Helmkamp and many other beloved family members and friends. This land has lost a true southern lady, who has made the world a better place to live, with her talent to decorate, garden and dance. Helen will be cremated and will stay with her husband until his death, then both will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, DC. A celebration of life will be held between 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Friday, April 15, 2011 at Goldfinch Funeral Home, Conway Chapel. Flowers or memorials may be sent to your local Humane Society, 2101 Industrial Park Road, Conway, SC 29526, or to a charity of one’s choice, Helen would love either. Sign a guestbook at www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com Goldfinch Funeral Home, Conway Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Tributes

Helen Creel Rich

December 23, 1935 - April 8, 2011