Lucy Helsley

Lucy Ann Gray Helsley, known as Ann, went home to be with her Lord on June 27, 2014. "Absent from the body, is present with the Lord" and she is now free after a long illness. Ann was born September 17, 1929 in Palo Alto, CA to Howard and Nora Gray. Ann was married to Sheldon G Helsley in September 1947 and they spent 52 happy years together. Shel and Ann moved to the Rocky Mountains just after being married, to begin a church planting ministry. Ann's part of this ministry was in serving the congregation through music, teaching and hospitality. Ann's heritage provided many of these gifts as her parents groomed her through VBS camps and clubs held throughout the CA mountain communities. Reaching children for Jesus was her heart's passion and this was furthered through her involvement with Child Evangelism Fellowship for many years. Her love for children was evident in her love for children's books and in two years prior to her death, she fulfilled a lifelong dream in writing and publishing one of these books. Ann was dearly loved and will be greatly missed. Ann was preceded in death by her beloved husband, her Dad and Mom and her older sister. She is survived by her younger sister, Mary Gray Petzold of Howard, CO.; her three sons, Sheldon Helsley, (Jacque) of Gillette, WY., Joseph E. Helsley of Seattle, WA. and Jonathan E. Helsley (Kathy) of Billings; two daughters, Sandra S. Gilreath, (Fred) of Laurel, MT and Gayla Y. Batie, (Dan) of Colstrip, MT. Ann has 12 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. A Memorial service celebrating Ann's life will be held on Tuesday, July 1st at 10 am., at the Faith Evangelical Church. A private family interment will be directed by Dahl Funeral Chapel at the Rockvale Cemetery. Gifts and Memorials may be sent to Child Evangelism Fellowship, South Central District of MT., the Gideons, or Riverstone Health, Hospice House of Billings.