Our Mother
Helen E. Wilson
Blessed us: Jan. 24, 1931
Blessed Heaven: Nov. 28, 2019 (Thanksgiving)
By Pam Smith
20 TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | FEB 2020
Life’s a Beach Events
What’s happening in February By Mom
2-1 2020 Critz Tybee Run Fest 6pm on 1-31. An island wide
event of multiple races that started 1-31 and ends 2-1. Proceeds
from the event go to local organization that promote education
and healthy lifestyles. Go to www.critztybeerun.com for more
info.
2-1, 2-2, 2-7, 2-8, & 2-9 Designed Women 8pm at the
Tybee Post Theater, 10 Van Horne Ave. Kansas City’s Late Night
Theatre is back on Tybee. Come see this hysterical version of the
1980’s sitcom of Designing Women. For all events go to www.
tybeeposttheater.org or call for further info at 912-472-4790.
2-2 Groundhog Day We all enjoyed the Bill Murray film
of “Groundhog Day.” But, did you know that there is the
Punxsutawney Groundhog Club? It was established in 1887!
2-3, 2-10, 2-17, & 2-24 Historic Fort Screven Battery Tours
9-10:30am at 30 Meddin Dr. The Tybee Island Historical Society
is presenting this walking tour of the Fort Screven Batteries. Call
912-786-5801 as reservations are required and for further info.
2-9 Free Pass Day 9am-5pm at Fort Pulaski, Hwy 80. It is the
Georgia History Festival’s Super Museum Sunday. Enjoy!
2-14 Valentine’s Day Happy Valentine’s Day Islanders!
Valentine’s Day was named for a Christian Bishop who was
martyred on 2-14, AD 271. Prior to that, it was a pagan fertility
festival. I will take our current version as is. Thank you very
much!
2-17 President’s Day President’s Day was established
in 1885 to honor our first President, George Washington. Mr.
Washington was born 2-22-1732, based on the Gregorian
calendar. However, according to the Julian calendar (used when
he was born) his date of birth was 2-11-1731! What a difference
the calendars make. In any case the day, chosen by Congress,
now encompasses all Presidents.
2-22 Tybee Island’s Feral Cat Project-Marti Gras Dance
7-11pm at the American Legion, 10 Veterans Dr. This fundraiser
for the Feral Cat Project will have live entertainment by the
Christy Allen Band, catering done by North Beach Grill, costume
contest, silent auction, raffle, door prizes and cash bar. Call 912-
777-3289 or text 912-667-2788 for more info. Tickets will be
available at the door as well as Seaside Sisters.
2-22 2020 Mardi Gras Tybee It all starts on Tybee Island!
12pm to 2pm, TBA, 2pm, Parade, 3pm, TBA, 4pm, Costume
Contest. Sorry about all the TBA’s (meaning To Be Announced).
We all need a vacation. So don’t forget to wear your purple, gold
and green!
To my brothers and me, she was “Ma” or “Mom,” to her grandchildren,
“Grandma,” and to her great-grands, “Granny Ma” (although at the
age of four, Camryn nicknamed her “Mini Ma”). In high school she was
“Liz.” Our friends called her “Mama Helen.” When she worked at Tybee
Elementary School, she was one of “The Lunch Ladies.” All through her
life she had many names. Her full name at birth was Helen Elizabeth
Emlott. She was named for both her mother and grandmother. Thus, she
was called “Little Helen.” So when she was pregnant with me, her dad
begged her to PLEASE NOT name me Helen!
She loved to Dance. As her generation would say, “She could really
cut-a-rug!” I used to love watching my mom shag at Doc’s and the old
DeSoto.
She loved Gardening. She enjoyed being outside working in her yard.
I guess that’s where I get it from.
She loved Thanksgiving and Christmas. At least for the holidays, she
would have ALL her family together. It was the most important thing to
her, to be surrounded by her family.
She loved her friends. Mom was the driving force in the creation of
“The Tybee-ites Reunion.” It was designed to reunite the friends she had
grown up with on Tybee. They came from near and far to see each other
and share their memories. They would hold their reunions every 5 years.
She had quite a few photo albums of their times together.
And she loved Tybee. You would know this just by walking in her house
and seeing all the lighthouses and old Tybee pictures everywhere. She
even designated one of the rooms in her house as “The Tybee Room.”
She wouldn’t hesitate to tell you that she grew up on Tybee, in a bragging
manner. It was almost always as if she “owned” the island to herself!
She was active in the PTA and held every post while her children were
at Tybee Elementary.
She belonged to the Optimist Club of Tybee for nearly 30 years and
was still a member. She held office as President of the club at one time
and participated in many conferences. She was all about kids, whether
it be donating to certain charities or actively participating and devoting
her time to a cause.
If I know nothing else, I know this…she will be missed. She was our
Mom and no one could ever replace her. Thanks for the memories!
/www.critztybeerun.com
/tybeeposttheater.org