Helen Jeanette Chase Hodges

Helen Jeanette (Chase) Hodges, 93, long-time resident of Forrest City, AR, passed away peacefully July 26, 2026, at the Conway Regional Medical Center in Conway, AR. She was born September 23, 1932, in Carlisle, AR, to the late William Lafayette Chase and Thelma Hall Chase, in Hallville, AR. Helen grew up on a country farm near there. When Helen was only 4 years old, Helen’s mother passed away, having contacted pneumonia trying to aid other sick family members. After that, Helen was shuffled around, living with various family members (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins) for quite some time. Graciously, her Aunt Gladys who already had a child, Evelyn, took Helen in. Darlene, a few years younger and also Gladys’ child, rounded out the trio of girls. During elementary school, Helen and Evelyn had to walk 3 miles, each way, to get to school. Aunt Gladys, when it was so icy, kept the girls home. This practice caused the girls to lose so much class time; they had to repeat 1st grade. Eventually, the family moved to DeValls Bluff. Following graduation from high school, Helen and Evelyn got jobs as switchboard operators for the telephone company. They did this when switchboard operators were the ones who plugged and pulled wires. Since they couldn’t afford a car, Helen and Evelyn walked to their jobs, sometimes holding hands there and back, protecting each other. One evening, when Helen was working, there was a “call” on her switchboard. Actually, Helen heard sounds, but it wasn’t people talking. After it was determined something was really wrong, she got some “first responders” to check it out. It was an older couple who were nearly dying from carbon monoxide poisoning. After the couple spent about 3 weeks in the hospital recovering, Helen was recognized with an award and her picture in the paper for saving the couples’ lives. Shortly after high school graduation, Gene Hodges began dating Evelyn, and introduced his brother, James, to Helen. They attended church, together, at Beck Spur. It wasn’t long until Gene and Evelyn married. Then James, shortly thereafter, married Helen. Back in the 1960’s, the 2 couples bought lots side-by-side, built houses next door to each other, and raised their families. James and Helen lived in Forrest City almost 63 years. A daughter, Janet, was born to Helen and James and then, their son, Billy, was born. When Billy was born, James was at National Guard 2-week camp in Louisiana. A bad storm had caused telephone lines to be down near their camp. So, Billy was a few days old before Helen was able to inform him, “James, I got you a boy”. Many challenges in life were used by God to build the quality of determination in Helen. She was preceded in death by her “sweetheart” in 2015. In addition to Janet, and Billy, along with Janet’s husband, Mike, and Billy’s wife, Jawana, Helen is survived by many family members. Evelyn Hodges lived the closest to her and has helped her out constantly. Evelyn knew that Helen thoroughly enjoyed working in her yard and flowers. Helen was a member of First Baptist Church of Forrest City, AR, and sang in the choir in her earlier years. She was employed by Southwestern Bell Telephone, Woodruff Electric, Sears Roebuck, and Bob’s Beauty Salon. She had a beautiful alto voice. Joyce Whitman (wife to the pastor, Dewayne Whitman) and she sang duets at Emmanuel Baptist Church. Her husband and she got to see the Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde and the “Four Corners monument” in the southwestern part of the United States, which she thoroughly enjoyed. Also, she got to travel to Atlanta a few years back, enjoying “Stone Mountain” and visiting Charles Stanley’s church, First Baptist Atlanta. While there, on that particular Sunday, at FBC, Atlanta, Steven Curtis Chapman and Sandy Patti, both, were guest soloists. Helen strived to be a devoted wife and a good mom in the raising of her two children, taking them to Sunday School and church when they were little, teaching them to hide God’s Word in their hearts, and the difference between right and wrong. James and Helen paid for many music lessons. They tolerated listening to untold hours of practice. When Janet was in the UCA band, they drove to Conway for football games, waited for the 3rd quarter break so Janet and parents could briefly visit, spend a little more time together after the ballgames, then drive back home. When Billy was in Little League baseball, James became a Little League coach to help Billy. They were supportive of their children. Stevens Funeral Service of Forrest City, AR, is in charge of funeral arrangements. Services will be Monday, August 3, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church, 507 N Rosser St., Forrest City, AR, with viewing an hour before. Burial will be at Forrest Park cemetery, in Forrest City. In lieu of sending flowers, donations may be made to your local Gideons International chapter or on line at gideons.org/give. The Gideons main goal is the distribution of Bibles. You may log on to stevensfuneralhome.net for the online registry.

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Helen Jeanette Chase Hodges

September 23, 1932 - July 26, 2026