It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Helen Louise York at 79 years of age,

• Helen was welcomed by the world on October 21, 1943 to James H. Woods and Verzener Bledsoe-Woods in Dardanelle, AK,

• and she earned her wings and entered into eternal rest on Sunday, August 27, 2023, at O’Conner Hospital in San Jose, CA.

  Helen grew up in Dardanelle Arkansas, she moved to California around the age of 20 and lived in the Bay area, and later moved to Modesto CA, where she resided for 35 years.  Helen was a military wife and a great mother and grandmother.  She had many different careers throughout her life, in her younger days; she was a weight counselor / dietician, and nutrition and supplements business owner. She later ventured into property management for many years until eventually becoming a perfume model for a short time before she fully retired.  Helen was a very classy and strong woman who pretty much did whatever she set her mind to do, with no limits and no fears.  Helen had a wonderful outlook on life, with fortitude and great strength to beat all odds. Amongst other things in her free time, she truly enjoyed antique collecting, arts and crafts, going to the gym, gardening, cooking, decorating, entertaining, and laughing and talking to with friends.

  She was predeceased by: her parents, James H. Woods and Verzener Bledsoe-Woods; her spouse (1) Victor H. York, (2) Howard Mearhoff: her sisters, Juanita Hazel, Mary Anna Robins, Evelyn Dennis; her nieces and nephews, Carol, Anthony, Wesley;

  She is survived by : her four children & inlaws, Patrick York (Saundra Pagan), Rodrick York (Hiwot Abraha), Quincy York (Karyn / Drew), Princess York (Anthony Johnson): her siblings, Lois Jean Rushing, James Obey Woods, Linda Sue Woods, Robert Woods, Waymon Woods, Jim Dennis;  her grandchildren, Carrington, Quincy Jr, Corriel, Alex, Estavon, Vincent, Prince, Arie:  her great-grandchildren, Xavier, Lexington, Mia, Onyx, Bella, Ca'Leyeah, Bella:  her nieces and nephews, Ramona, Ruben Jr. Cynthia, Glenn Allen, Glenda, Carmen, David, Labaron,  Bryant, Bridget, Brenda, Dennis, Greg, Ronald, Darren, Melissa, Veronica, O.J., Latasha, Robin, Robert Jr. Rashad, Regina, Chasity, Waymon jr,:  and many other family and friends.