My Mom, Valdean Helton Mahan Jones, 94, Three Point, KY, entered into Eternal Life on Friday morning at 2:10 am at our home.  Just as she held me during my first breaths of life, I had the honor of holding her during her last.  Born in Wilton, KY, to Don and Lillie Helton, her family later moved to Three Point, KY. She was a member of Friendship Baptist Church, Cawood, KY. My Mom enjoyed working in the yard, planting beautiful flowers, trying new recipes, yard sales, traveling, good country and gospel music, church events, and most of all being around people, whether it be family, friends, neighbors, or her customers at Sears.  Always, it never failed, the first thing people noticed immediately and complimented were her unique crystal green eyes, something she and her sisters and my two cousins shared.

She married my Dad, Sgt Mack Mahan in Jonesville, VA and traveled with him as he was stationed at different Air Force Bases.  She worked at various jobs at each location, and this once overly shy girl became a more confident, outgoing and charming young woman.  I was born their only child in Goldsboro, NC at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Hospital.  After my Dad's retirement from the service, they used the money they had saved and moved back to Three Point, KY to build a life close to Mom's parents.  My Dad began a 2nd career with Bob & Rod Coal Company, while Mom joined Sears.  If you remember Sears Catalog Center at Woodland Hills Plaza, you'll most likely remember my Mom at the front counter.  She also kept a stash of the treasured new Christmas Catalogs to give out, so she was very popular.  Lol  She worked there throughout my education to pay for clothes and my college tuition.

Following my Dad's death, she reconnected with a long-time friend of theirs and married retired Air Force Sgt Melvin Jones.   They traveled throughout the west coast, living in Las Vegas, and settling mainly in Ft Smith Arkansas. Mom took amazing care of Mel during his very long and traumatic illness.  After his death, she moved back to Harlan County to be closer to me and her family.

Family who were waiting to welcome her into her Eternal Home:  parents Don and Lillie Pridemore Helton, First husband TSgt Mack Mahan USAF, 2nd husband, Sgt Melvin Jones USAF; brother Damon Helton, sister, Opal Campbell, nephew Charles Foley, nieces Amy Lynn Smith, and Marsha Smith.

Missing her with all my heart is me, her daughter, Marie Mahan.  As an only child, yes, I was very spoiled, but gratefully spoiled.  I loved going shopping with her.  She was fun, had a great sense of fashion and jewelry, and ignited charm where ever she went.  You took such good care of me and it was my honor to care for you during these last months.  I hope I did you proud.

Also missing her presence in this life is sister Donna (Doyle) Smith, niece Susan (Mike) Thomas, great nephews Connor and Caleb Thomas (she adored you). Niece Mary Lou Anton, Nephew Gary Foley, Niece Nancy (Danny) Helton, Niece Julia Foley.

Special extended family Judy Noe, Cathy Foisel, Dede Watts, and Chris Donahue.  Many special nieces and nephews, family and friends.

I want to do what my Mom would have me do right now. Extend our warmest and most heartfelt thanks…..

To her sister and my Aunt Donna Smith, for always being there for me, and for being my Mom's best friend and shopping partner.  She certainly looked forward to spending long days with you.  And walking down to your house to sit on the porch with you and talk about flowers.

To her brother-in-law and my Uncle Doyle Smith, for being our pastor, for being with my Dad during his last hours because he didn't want us to go through that, for fixing things around the house for her and fending for yourself for dinner as my Mom and Aunt Donna would be out for hours shopping only to get home and call each other and talk on the phone a couple more hours.  Thank you for conducting my Mom's service.

To my Cousins Susan and Mike:  The word "cousin" cannot possibly define the love and affection I have for both of you.  During the later times when Mom was scared and needed someone to calm her fears during her evening times of Sundowner's, to running up some food, checking on the lake, stopping by with food from the store or drive-thru…….Mike you made my Mom's last birthday on the 18th special by making her a pan of cornbread.  She didn't want a cake, she loved cornbread and no one could make it like Aunt Donna and you. Susan, it was Mom's pleasure to watch after you when you were little.  She's told me over and over how proud she is of the woman you have become.  She complimented your resilience during difficult times, and your love and dedication to Connor and Caleb.  She said you had the sweetest smile she had ever seen.

Connor and Caleb:  Nothing thrilled your Aunt Dean more than to see the two of you playing outside or have you come up to visit with her and hear all about what was going on at school.  Thank you for getting her trash together for pickup and her mail when it became too difficult for her to walk down the steps.  I only wish you could have known the healthier Aunt Dean so she could have played with you.  My Mom was very fun.

Mary Lou and Nancy, could you ever really know just how excited my Mom was to find out each time that you were coming to visit?  It was more like a special event.  I think it's because of the special bond growing up with our grandparents.  But also, even in later years, you always brought a youthfulness to our family no matter how old we got.  You always made her feel safe too, something your Mom, my Aunt Opal was especially good at….My Mom always ran to Aunt Opal when there was a storm….whether outside or in her life.

Cousin Judy Foley:  She enjoyed the special bond you held.  Thank you for driving her to doctor's appointments and for keeping check on her with phone calls.  She enjoyed your many trips together.

Cousins Keli Hensley and Stephen Foley:  Keli, Mom always enjoyed running into you, it seemed like it was always at Food City.  You have such an upbeat nature and made my Mom feel so special, pretty and loved.  Stephen, thank you for bringing your Mom to visit our house and I hope you continue to do that for her.

Cousin Gary Foley:  I remember back in the day, you would stop by our house for a quick visit and Mom always enjoyed your cheerfulness and stories about work.  I'm glad you got to talk to her this past Christmas.  That meant a lot to her.

Judy, Cathy, Dede, and Chris……she loved you very much…. not just because you are wonderful and important friends in my life, but because you care so much for me.  I'm so glad you got to know and love her back.

Ann Overby:  My Mom's long-time best friend since your husband Bobby and My Dad were in service together.    I'm so glad you got to share a long phone call her one last time around the holidays.  She treasured your friendship.

To the Committee on Aging (Senior Center) Jennell, Kellie, Jack, Taylor, and Tammy:  You provide such a special service to the community.  Mom looked forward to her meals each day.  If I was distracting her too much, she would remind me that it was almost time for Jack and she didn't want to miss him.  Lol.  Thank you for watching after her and all you do for the senior community.

To Dr Dahhan and staff:  My mom's long-time doctor.  Thank you for caring for both my Mom and my Aunt Donna through the years.

To Dr Timothy Jenkle:  I'm so thankful to have you in Harlan County and I hope you stay.  You have many grateful patients.  Thank you for being so kind and patient with my Mom.

To Dr Melissa Knuckles:  Thank you for taking care of my Mom's skin during her illness and for being her long-time dermatologist.  She had a beautiful complexion.

To Sean Daniels Pastor of Harlan Mission Outreach:  Thank you for praying with me when I was totally overwhelmed with grief and didn't have the strength to pray any more.

To Attorney Kellie Wilson and team:  Thank you Kellie and Vickie for assisting me with the legal help I needed and for bringing things over to the Nursing Home to explain the paperwork to Mom.  Who knew she would ask you a simple question "Do you know Rodney Wilson?" leading to the connection that not only did our dads worked closely together at Bob & Rod Coal Company many years ago, but our moms were friends too.  My entire family is praying for your complete recovery.

To Social Workers Amy Aslinger, Renee Sullivan, and Kristie Boggs at HARH.  Just WOW!  You got it started and made things happen for my Mom's care when it seemed totally hopeless and bleak and I had already given up hope.  You do incredible work.

To the Nurses and Staff at HARH who provided special care for my Mom before being transferred to the Nursing Home for rehab.  Thank you for the care and all the extras.

To Harlan Nursing Home and Rehabilitation:  Gail Hensley, Marissa Powell, and Alicia Whitehead:  Thanks for working with Amy and her team to get my Mom set up into rehab quickly and safely.  It made all the difference in the world as I was running out of time to get her somewhere that I could be close to her.

To the Entire Staff at Harlan Nursing Home and Rehabilitation:

The Nursing staff:  Especially Rhonda Dean, Mary Jo King, and Barbara Cooper for providing the best specialized medical care for her.  Nurse Aides:  Special thanks to Deanna, Alyssa, Kiersten, and Carissa, Abigail, and all the Nurse Aide staff who provided all the extra hard work that senior patients need.

The Cafeteria Staff:  To Rhonda Freeman and the Dietary Team:  My Mom was always telling me about the good breakfast she had, or something in particular for lunch, and I have to say I bought several guest trays for myself and enjoyed them too!

To the Rehabilitation Team:  Physical and Occupational Therapists who worked with her walking and balance, hands, and cognitive skills:  Kayla Couch, Crystal Miniard, Chad Wood, Shawn Stepp, Olivia Simpson, and Raegan Middleton.  Raegan, Mom developed a special connection with you and she always enjoyed your visits.  Thank you for encouraging and helping her eat when she couldn't feed herself as well.

The Bluegrass Hospice Team:  I can't even start to write this without crying.  You are the most incredible people I have ever met.  I thought I knew what Hospice was all about, but this experience left me in total awe of your work.  From Chris the technician who delivered my Mom's bed and equipment who set up everything exactly how I wanted it; Hospice Case Manager, RN Allie Simpson and RN Nikki explaining everything I needed to know on Mom's care and the Nurse Aides Natasha and Bridgette who gently washed her body and hair and changed her clothes and sheets to make her feel clean and comfortable.  When my Mom's final days arrived so quickly, they made sure she was not in pain and answered any of my calls for help if I got worried or scared.  Thank you to Social Worker Lisa, RN Brandy, for her end of life care, the Hospice Chaplain Kristin for praying with me and Mom.  What the Bluegrass Hospice Team does is not a service, it's a calling and a gift from God.

A special thank you to my long-time high school friend Virginia Metcalfe.  You kept watch over my Mom and gave me updates when she was in the ER and Hospital while I was out of town.  But more than that you connected me to two very special ladies who God brought me through you.  Kristie and Shannon Warren, you brought the comfort, the security, the care, the faith, the hope, and the love to my mom, to me, and to all my family.  We are forever grateful and love you both.  God promises to pay us double for the unfair things, and when I was getting no where on finding help, God brought me not one but two beautiful sisters to cover any time, day or night.  You took wonderful care of my Mom and by taking care of me, she would have told you that you were still taking care of her.  Shannon thank you for letting me have my private moment to be with my Mom during her final breaths, but also staying close by in case I needed you.

A few more special thank you's:

JJ Café:  Julie and Amanda for your prayers, hugs, and good homemade food.

The Harlan County Public Library for providing the perfect workspace for me while I worked remotely

Walmart staff for assisting me in finding needed items for my Mom

Starbucks Baristas for making some great specialty drinks for me ……even though you didn't know what I was going through at the time.

Magistrate Jim Roddy for all his service to our community and his advice on important matters.  My Mom always appreciated you.

Beverly at Hearthside Bank for all her expertise, guidance, and understanding and for providing excellent service to Mom for many years.

Meagan Noe and Julie Hall at the Harlan Courthouse for making things so organized and efficient for me

Belinda Henson Cassim at Henson Florist for helping me pick out the colors for the beautiful casket spray that I know I'll love.  You have been a joy to work with.

Phillip Bianchi, Missy, and special thanks to BJ and the excellent staff at Harlan Funeral Home.  You have shown great care and patience with me as I am going through the most emotional time of my life.  Thank you for my request of finding a casket that matched the color of my Mom's beautiful eyes perfectly.

Our incredible loving and long-time neighbors of Three Point, KY.  Through weddings, births, graduations, tragedies, holidays, and deaths, I thank you for the love we all share in our little community.  My Mom appreciated and loved you all.

Philippians 1:3

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,

King James Version

In lieu of flowers

Please consider donating to the Council on Aging Harlan Senior Center or Bluegrass Hospice.

Harlan Funeral Home is Honored to serve the family of Valdean Helton Mahan Jones.