Naomi L. Helsley
1919-2018
Naomi Lee Michael Helsley, age 99, of Berkeley Springs, W.Va., died on Sunday, July 15, 2018 at the Extended Care Facility of War Memorial Hospital with her son and daughter-in-law by her side.
Born April 13, 1919 in Big Pool, Md., she was the daughter of the late Marvin Blue and Blanch Shambaugh Michael.
She was a member of Berkeley Springs Presbyterian Church where she held numerous offices in the church and women of the church organizations.
She was a 1938 graduate of Berkeley Springs High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Shepherd College.
Naomi attended George Washington University, the University of Maryland and West Virginia University, earning her master’s degree in child psychology.
She taught for 15 years in Morgan County Public Schools at both Mt. Trimble and the Annex School.
She taught at Hancock Elementary School for 19 years.
She was a member of the Humane Society of Morgan County, the Washington County Teacher’s Association and the Maryland State Teacher’s Association.
She loved animals, discussing politics, was a true WVU Mountaineer’s fan and loved to read.
Surviving are her son, James Michael Burks and his wife Cathy of Berkeley Springs; one brother, Marvin B. Michael of Hagerstown; two granddaughters, Shannon Combs and her husband Timmy and Kelly Michael, all of Berkeley Springs; four great granddaughters, Brittany McBee of Willis Wharf, Va., Casey, Chari and Andi Michael, all of Berkeley Springs; four great grandsons, Austin Waugh of Pennsylvania, Josh Michael, Jr, Leland and Brendon Combs, all of Berkeley Springs; one step grandson, David Kees and his wife Tammy of Berkeley Springs; two step great grandsons, Matthew Kees and his wife Laura of Berkeley Springs and Christopher Kees and his fiancée Carlin of Bruceton Mills, W.Va.; two great great granddaughters, Kinsley and Ava Barnes, both of Willis Wharf, Va.; one step great great grandson, Hayden Harper of Berkeley Springs and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Woodrow Wilson Helsley, three sisters, Ruth Rodes of Oxnard, Calif.; Laura Roberts of Largo, Fla., and Nettie Hewett of Berkeley Springs and a sister-in-law, Jean Michael of Hagerstown.
Services and interment in Wesley Chapel Cemetery, Cross Junction, Va., will be private.
Online condolences may be expressed at www. helsleyjohnsonfh.com.
paid obituary
