HELEN BATTEAST-WILLIAMS

April 2, 1950 - Dec. 12, 2013 SOUTH BEND - Helen Marie Batteast Williams, 63, of Granada Hills, California, formerly of South Bend, Indiana, passed away Thursday, December 12, 2013, after a long battle with a serious illness. Helen was born on April 2, 1950, in Rosetta, Mississippi, to the union of the Wayne A. and Jacqueline Batteast Sr. She moved to South Bend, Indiana, in 1965 from Natchez, Mississippi, and joined Greater St. John Missionary Baptist Church that same year.

She attended Central High School and graduated in 1968.

After high school, she attended Howard University in Washington, D.C., and graduated in 1972. She furthered her education in California at several other universities including Cal State Fullerton and Los Angeles City College. She moved to Los Angeles, California, and was a resident since 1976.

She married Jerome Williams I in 1977. To this union two children were born: Jerane and Jerome.

Helen worked as a Paralegal for over 25 years and a longstanding employee of the Law Offices of Mark Cunningham. She enjoyed reading, music, gardening, and travelling.

Helen is survived by one daughter, Jerane (Rahman) Sparks; one son, Jerome Williams II; two grandchildren: Pilaar and Jack Sparks, all of Los Angeles, California; two brothers: Pastor Cary (Barbara) Batteast and Wayne (Janice) Batteast Jr., both of South Bend, Indiana; one uncle, Rayford (Lee Pearl) Batieste; one aunt, Senora Batteast; three special friends: Audrey James of Los Angeles, California, Diane Nunley of Chicago, Illinois, and Annette Scott of South Bend; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by husband, Jerome Williams I; her parents, Wayne A. and Jacqueline Batteast Sr.; two uncles: William G. Batteast and Robert V. Batteast.

The family would like to thank the doctors and staff at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Beverly Hills, California, and the Center for Hospice in South Bend, Indiana.

Services will take place on Saturday, December 21, 2013, in New Salem Missionary Baptist Church, 141 S. Camden Street, South Bend. Visitation at 11:00 a.m. and funeral service at 12 noon. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. Sign her guestbook at www.clarkoneal.com. The Clark-O'Neal Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Dec. 19, 2013.

03/08/2023 EJS