Helen L. Pankey

CHARLESTON, IL – Helen Louise Pankey, age 88 of Charleston, entered her Eternal Heavenly Home on Friday, May 8, 2020.  A private family visitation followed by a celebration of her life will take place at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston.  Inurnment will be in Roselawn Cemetery, Charleston.   Memorial Gifts in her honor may be made to East Harrison Street Church of God or to Prairie State Bank & Trust to assist Helen’s great-grandchildren with future college expenses.  Gifts may be mailed in care of Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, Illinois  61920.

Helen was born January 18, 1932 in Hugo, Illinois, a daughter of the late Arthur Raymond and Florence (Wells) Waggle.  She married the love of her life, Billy Joe Pankey on February 4, 1953 and they have celebrated 67 years of marriage and friendship.  Left to cherish their many wonderful memories is her husband, Bill of Charleston; two loving and devoted children, Curtis Alan Pankey and Lori Ann Grissom and husband Curt, all of Charleston; two grandchildren, Kyle Sims and wife Stephanie of Ashmore, Illinois and Mindy Sims of Charleston; two step-grandchildren, John and Matt Grissom of Charleston; three great-grandchildren, Kolton and Skylar Sims and Karter Thompson; and a step-great-grandchild, Gunnar Grissom.  She is also survived by a brother, George (Diane) Waggle of Greenup; a sister Lois Franklin of Charleston; and numerous nieces and nephews.  She was preceded by a great-grandchild, MacKenzie Boyle; two sisters, Ruth Tutewiler and Nora Hupp; and two brothers, Harry and Alfred Waggle.

Helen was a woman of faith and enjoyed being a member of the East Harrison Street Church of God family.  For 22 years Helen was a friendly and familiar face at several local restaurants where she was employed.  She enjoyed quilting, paint by number, taking long walks and camping.  However, her greatest joys were provided by her family.  She loved spending quality time with them, and special hugs were always available for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She will be truly missed and so fondly remembered by the family she so graciously loved.

Click here to view Family Memorial Video.

MEMORIAL SERVICE
The Memorial Service celebrating the life of Helen Pankey was held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13, 2020 at Adams Funeral Chapel with Pastor Curt Weaver officiating.  Mr. Steve Higgins served as eulogist.  A recording of "Roses Will Bloom Again" was played and pianist, Millie Turner provided prelude and postlude selections and accompanied Pastor Weaver who sang, "Because He Lives" and accompanied the congregational hymns of "I'll Fly Away" and "When We All Get To Heaven".  Inurnment will be in Roselawn Cemetery, Charleston at a later date.

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