Helen (Nance) Jenkins

October 9, 1928 – February 13, 2025

Helen (Nance) Jenkins, 96, Strawtown, Ind., passed away February 13, 2025, at the Waters of Tipton in Tipton, Ind. Helen was born October 9, 1928, to Allen and Nona (Olds) Staton.

Helen attended school in Strawtown. She worked at Heartland Growers in Westfield for 14 years. She had a green thumb and took great pride in her job and the many flowers she grew at home over the years.

Family was everything to Helen and she looked forward to warm weather and cookouts with her family, always requesting Jessie to make her a big, fat, juicy cheeseburger on the grill. She loved spending time with her grandkids and her great-grandkids that she always referred to as “her babies.” She was so proud of them all and made sure everyone she met knew that. Helen was a hugger; everyone that knows her probably had a hug at one time or another. We will miss those sweet hugs, but we have so many wonderful memories and know that we will be reunited again one day.

Helen is survived by her son, Jessie (Deb) Nance of Anderson; stepdaughter, Pam White of North Fort Myers, Fla.; great-niece, Demita (Barry) Piercy of Laurel Hill, N.C. who Helen helped raise and considered a daughter; grandchildren, Stacie (Gary) Baugh of Noblesville, Andrea (Jamie Nepsa) Smith of Pendleton, and “Special Granddaughter” Amanda Nepsa of Noblesville; step-grandchildren, Jamie Coverdale of Noblesville and Angel Hill of Anderson; great-grandchildren, Taylor Nepsa, JT Nepsa, Alyson Baugh, Sophia Nepsa, Liam Nepsa, Natalie Nepsa, and Aria Nepsa; niece and nephew; Mary Jo (Donnie) Dunagan and Mike Hernandez; and several great-nieces and great-nephews.

Helen was preceded in death by her first husband, Hollis Nance, and second husband, Harold Jenkins; stepson, David Jenkins; parents, Allen and Nona Staton; brothers and sisters, Frederick Staton, Mable Fisher, Sarah Moore, Ella Bessie Dye, Alvina McNew, Joseph Staton, Maxine Staton, and Flora Rathbone; “Special Great-Grandson” Matthew Oresik. Special Friend and Companion, Abraham (Bud) Small; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, February 16, 2025, at Hartley Funeral Home, 209 W. Jackson St., Cicero. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, February 17, 2025, at Hartley Funeral Home, with Mark Knapp officiating. Burial will follow at Carey Cemetery, Noblesville.

The Family would like to extend their sincere thanks and gratitude to longtime neighbor Brad Overdorf for always watching out for our mom, visiting with her, taking her homecooked meals and being there when she/we needed him. Also, to Sandy Bucher and Cheryl Hale who provided love and home care to Helen prior to moving to Waters of Tipton. Thank you to the staff at the Waters of Tipton and the staff at Paradigm Hospice for the great care and love provided to Helen during her stay at the Waters.

Online condolences may be made at hartleyfuneralhome.com.