Helen Beech Buel

HELEN BEECH HOWARD BUEL nee MOODY passed away on December 11, 2021, at the age of 92 in Charlotte, NC. With the loss of her husband, Elden and her advancing age, Helen moved to North Carolina with her daughter, Martha, in 2018. The move was to be closer to her son, David, her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Helen was lovingly cared for in her final year by her special angels Lucia Azevedo, Denise Blackburn, Denise Villegas, Karen Ferguson, Georgia Covington, and Nicole Royster. Helen was born Helen Louise Farmer on June 24, 1929, to Kathryn Elizabeth Ready (Kate) and James Norman Ready in Richton, MS. Due to the severity of the Great Depression, Helen, her infant sister, Mattie Lois, and two older siblings were unselfishly placed in the Mississippi Children’s Home until Kate and Norman could better provide for them. Due to the laws of the state at that time children who were placed in the care of the state were available for adoption. Blessedly, Helen was adopted at the age of three by Julius Solomon and Louella Yates Moody of Poplarville, MS. Helen grew up as the only child of the Moody’s, attending school in Poplarville and graduating in 1947. Immediately after graduation Helen married Dan C. Beech (D.C.) (Cotton) also of Poplarville. In 1948 Helen gave birth to their daughter Martha Louise Beech and in 1950, gave birth to a son, David Michael Beech. Helen and D.C. lived in Wyoming, Germany, Texas, Managua, Nicaragua, and Kansas where D.C. was stationed with the United States Airforce. In 1959 Helen returned to Poplarville where she lived until 2005. Helen was a creative, fashion-conscious woman of the 1950’s, beautiful coifed and dressed. She enjoyed the social life that was part of the military families’ culture and made many life-long friends from the various places she lived. Helen’s love of fashion motivated her to work for Fine Brother’s Madison in Hattiesburg, MS, and study to become a cosmetologist. In 1961 Helen opened her own beauty salon in Poplarville. Helen enjoyed a successful business for many years beautifying the grand ladies of Poplarville, young women who wanted a more fashionable hair color or style, and even some of the young men of the community who were looking for a trendier hair color or style than could be obtained from the local barber. Helen’s creativity was not limited to the beauty salon, she had a keen eye for photography, capturing many images of her family, friends, and places she had lived or visited. Helen established warm and comfortable homes by decorating with the many antiques she collected. It was always a pleasure for family to visit and enjoy the many family heirlooms that she incorporated into her homes and enjoy Helen’s delicious home-cooked Southern meals consisting of fresh vegetables and Louisiana seafood. Helen will be remembered for her sly sense of humor, her love of dancing, and her commitment to her Christian faith. She grew up in the First Baptist Church, but as an adult belonged to First Methodist Church-both in Poplarville. Helen leaves a legacy of many lessons for her children: the importance of hard work, discipline, perseverance, and independence. Helen was a generous spirit and gave what ever she had to those in need and those she loved and held dearly. Helen was preceded in death by her husband of 25 years, Elden Buel; her special love, Harold Howard, and the father of her children, Dan C. Beech. She will be missed by her children, Martha Beech Fry, David M. Beech, grandsons D. Max Perkins, Daniel C. Beech, Graham Y. Beech, and five great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held for Helen in Charlotte and a graveside service will be held in Poplarville. January 15. Details to follow. In Lieu of flowers please donate in Helen’s memory to Methodist Children’s Home 805 North Flag Chapel Road Jackson, MS 39209 Mississippi Baptist Children’s Home 118 Lowe Road Laurel, MS 39443

Helen Beech Buel

June 24, 1929 - December 11, 2021