Helen (Taylor) Dubberly

Helen Taylor Dubberly, age 96 of Guyton, GA, a former resident of Baxley, GA, passed away Friday, August 2, 2024 at her home, under the care of Hospice of Savannah.

Helen was born October 7, 1927 in Emanuel County, GA, the sixth of eight children born to Judson Derring Taylor and Mahalia Rebecca Davis Taylor. Her family moved to Appling County, settling on the old Lourd farm "down near the river" in the Zion Baptist Church Community. Each day, after morning farm chores were complete, she and her siblings walked to the Way School. She was later baptized and joined Zion Baptist Church, where she faithfully attended until joining Ten Mile Creek Baptist Church.

Soon after graduating from Baxley High School in 1945, she met Jasper Leroy "Red" Dubberly, and the two were married on August 25, 1946. Helen faithfully assisted her husband in the daily operation of the family farm. Their family grew to include five daughters. Helen's role as wife and mother expanded even more to include caring for the girls and supporting them in their individual endeavours throughout their schooling.

With the arrival of her first grandchild, she became affectionately known as "Memaw." In her role as Memaw, she extended her love to a new generation of children and great-grandchildren. Throughout all of this she managed to enjoy fishing, gardening and keeping up with her "soaps and game shows" and helping "Coach K" coach the Duke Blue Devils Basketball team as a boisterous armchair assistant. She taught several of her grandchildren how to drive, and several how to play checkers.

In 2003, she and Red joined Melton's Chapel Church, where they attended until his passing on May 27, 2008. In 2010, after Red's death, she moved from the farm to Savannah, to live with her daughter Rena, and since 2016 has happily made her home with her daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Ed Cook in Guyton, GA.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Jasper Leroy "Red" Dubberly, and all of her siblings; Ruth Taylor Eason, Henry Derring Taylor, Wynell Taylor Sellers, Calvin Taylor, Grace Taylor Kicklighter, Claudett Taylor Craven Conner, and an infant sister, Voncill Taylor.

Helen is survived by her five daughters and sons-in-law; Pansy (John) Roper of Ashville, NC, Rena (Mike) Roush of Savannah, GA, Kathy (Ed) Cook of Guyton, GA, Marsha (Ken) Waller of Dearing, GA, and Jennifer (Dan) Akin of Waverly Hall, GA; seven grandchildren, Hayley (Damian) Wells of Ashville, NC, Judson Cook of Guyton, GA, Reid (Laura) Cook of Guyton, GA, Allie (Dwight) Bowling of Grovetown, GA, Kara (Lake) Brakefield of Columbus, GA, Sallie Akin and Briley Akin, both of Waverly Hall, GA; great-grandchildren, Maddox Cook, Addison Bowling, Davis Cook, Emerson Cook, Jasper Wells, Brayden Bowling, Karolyn Schlader and Blanchard Brakefield; also many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews and other extended family members including brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law in the Dubberly family.

Funeral services will be held 3:00 PM Sunday, August 4, 2024 at the Chapel of Swain Funeral Home in Baxley, GA, with her nephew Chris Taylor officiating. Interment will follow at Melton's Chapel Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, from 2:00 until 3:00 PM Sunday at the funeral home.

The family wishes to extend their most heartfelt appreciation to the staff of Savannah Hospice for the care, love and support shown during Helen's illness.

Flowers will be accepted or those who desire may make memorial contributions to Melton's Chapel.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Swain Funeral Home, Baxley, GA.