Helen Marie Atwell passed away on May 20, 2021 at Reid Health after a long illness.  She was born on December 5, 1937, in Williamsburg, Indiana, where she was raised by her parents, Harry A. Whitacre and Alice E. Whitacre.

Helen helped out on the family farm. She attended Hope Well Methodist Church.  Helen attended Williamsburg Schools where she graduated from.  She worked many jobs to support her family; she had worked at Richmond Community Schools for 37 years, Kleen Rite for 20 years and Albert’s Janitorial for 3 years besides having her own cleaning company.  She loved baking, sewing, camping and gardening.

She leaves to cherish her memory, son: Walter R. Atwell; daughter: Helen Ann Albert; Helen adopted her niece when she was three days old; she raised and loved her as if she was her own; no words could express the love they had for one another and her name is Darla K. Pierson (Robert), all of Richmond.

Helen also loved and cherished her grandchildren: Ronald D. Well (Amy), Rusty Atwell (Summer), Christina Bowers, William S. Well (Brandy) and Brian Atwell, all of Richmond; she also had a great nephew that she loved very much and thought of as a grandson, Harry J. Whitacre.  There were two special young men that called her grandma: Joshua R. Bowers and John Miller.  Helen also had five great grandchildren, all of Richmond; and one very special great great granddaughter; a sister: Neva Duke; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Helen is preceded in death by her dad, Harry A. Whitacre; mom: Alice E. Whitacre; brother: George Brawley Jr; two sisters: Mary Ellen Misner and Joanna Gipson; and a very special son-in-law: Willie R. Albert; and most importantly, her late husband: Welter R. Atwell Jr. who she loved and cherished for 64 years.

The family wishes to give special thanks to Ambassador Health Care Team especially a couple of nurses, Emily and Brittany, and most importantly who loved Helen dearly: Michelle H. and a few  CNA’s, Emily Pegg and Mary Reed.  Also special thanks to Cicely McDaniel and especially the housekeeping team, especially Pat.

Immediate burial will be at Earlham Cemetery, Wednesday, May 26, 2021, 1:00 PM. Community Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.  Send online condolences to the family via the guestbook at www.communityfamilyfh.com