Helen Kitchen

HELEN LOUISE KITCHEN

Helen Louise Kitchen, 97, of Oak Grove, Missouri was born August 20, 1923, in Pleasant Hill, Missouri the daughter of Winfield and Lula (Dudley) Bagshaw. She departed this life Thursday, April 8, 2021 at her home surrounded by love and family.

Helen was born and raised in Pleasant Hill and later moved to Tipton, Indiana where she graduated from Tipton High School in 1941. After graduating high school, Helen married Kenneth W. Miller and gave birth to 5 children; she became a widow at the age of 24. Helen and her 5 young children returned to Missouri to be near her family. She later married Kenneth V. Weir and gave birth to 4 children. Helen attended her 50th high school reunion where she reconnected with an old high school sweetheart, Joseph W. Kitchen. They were married in 1992.

Helen was a homemaker raising 9 children until 1966. She went to work for the Social Security Administration and later the IRS. After serving 26 years in civil service she retired in 1986 in Memphis, Tennessee. Helen earned the highest commendation for her service issued by the US Treasury.

She worked hard at being a great supportive wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great-great grandmother. She would never hesitate to just sit down and give you a listening ear if you needed it. Her warm, loving smile and laugh was so contagious. She had the amazing ability to make each person and family member feel that she loved them mostest.

Helen was a member of Oak Grove Seventh Day Adventist Church. Throughout all of her years her first devotion was to the Lord. Whether it was being a greeter, volunteering in the nursery, or helping in the kitchen, her faith was shown without question. Her prayer list was a mile long.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents; her spouses, Kenneth Miller, Kenneth Weir, and Joseph W. Kitchen; one son, Timothy Weir; and 3 brothers; and 6 sisters.

She is survived by five sons, Kenneth Martin Miller (and Sara) of Nashville, Tennessee, Gerald Winfield Miller (and Joanne) of Enid, Oklahoma, James Arnold Miller (and Nita) of North Platte, Nebraska, Stephen Dudley Miller (and Denise) of Raymore, Missouri, Mark Allen Weir (and Kerrie) of Wheatland, Wyoming; three daughters, Nila Louise Dechman of Oak Grove, Pamela Kay Reaves of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, Melody Jane Carranza (and Everardo) of Oak Grove; 19 grandchildren; 39 great grandchildren; 8 great-great grandchildren; and 1 great-great-great grandchild; other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, April 14, 2021, at the funeral home.  Pastor Matthew Miller, her grandson and Pastor Mark Tagaloa officiated. Interement wasf in the Kingsville Cemetery.  Casket bearers were Kenneth M. Miller, Gerald W. Miller, Stephen D. Miller, Mark A. Weir, Jay W. Miller, and Sampson J. Alperin.  Honorary casket bearers were Doug Bagshaw, James Miller, and Larry Weir.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Ascend Hospice and may be sent in care of the funeral home.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.stanleydickeyfuneralhome.com

Arrangements: Stanley-Dickey Funeral Home, 203 N. Armstrong St., Pleasant Hill, Missouri 64080 (816) 540-5550