Born October 24, 1924 in Kinston, died March 19, 2008 at her home in Fuquay–Varina. She was the last remaining child of the late Lewis Garland and Stella Buck Sparrow of Norfolk, VA. She was also predeceased by her first husband Elmer Kossuth Tucker of Greenville, who died in 1963 and an infant son, William Galloway Tucker. She graduated from Greenville High School with the class of 1942 and the Norfolk School of Business. Helen was one of the first employees of Empire Brush when they relocated their manufacturing facilities to Greenville, in 1964. In addition, she was assistant to the plant managers of Vermont American Inc. and Burroughs-Wellcome Pharmaceuticals. In 1968, she married H. T. Chapin, Jr. who was a building contractor and developer in Greenville. There will be a memorial service 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 22, 2008 at Summerville Presbyterian Church, Lillington, officiated by Rev. Dr. Dawes Graybeal. The family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall immediately following the service. No flowers are requested, rather donations to her memory may be made in Summerville Presbyterian Church c/o P.O. Box 640 Lillington, NC 27546 or to Hospice of Lake County 1300 St. Mary’s Street fourth Floor Raleigh, NC 27605. She is survived by her husband: H. T. Chapin, Jr.; daughter Katherine Tucker-Thompson and her husband, David Fitzhugh of Smithfield; son, John A. K. Tucker and his wife, Mary Catherine of Fuquay-Varina; son-in-law, Henry Singletary of Cary; stepson, W. T. “Tommy” Chapin and his wife, Dae of Wake Forest; stepdaughters, Debbie Chapin Singletary of Selma and Mary Catherine Chapin of Mebane; five grandchildren, Lezlie Brooks Matthews, Phillip Ryan Hardy, William Thompson Chapin, Lauren Ashley Chapin, and Ann Elizabeth Tucker; three great-grandchildren, Brenden, Hunter, and Kaden Hardy. Funeral arrangements entrusted to O’Quinn-Peebles Funeral Home. Published in The News & Observer on 3/20/2008.
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