Helen Freeman French, born Dec. 23, 1934, died Oct. 9, 2013.

She was born a coal miner’s daughter and left this earthly world a ROSE.

Devoted wife and mother who lived a full beautiful life. Helping her husband James D. French in the successful French’s Food Markets from 1955-1980, while at the same time actively involved in every aspect of her three children’s world. Den mother, room mother, PTA, ballgames, and fundraisers, no matter what it was, she was always there.

Helen and her husband enjoyed traveling the world together to Spain, Hawaii, Africa, Italy, the Caribbean Islands, and many other places until Jim’s death in 1983. They also enjoyed boating and going on weekend excursions with other members of the Oak Ridge Boat Club. Helen continued her involvement with the same group until her illness in 2010. [Read more…]