Helen Louise Sears, 62 of Cabool, MO passed away on Friday, April 6, 2012 at the Cox South Medical Center in Springfield, MO. She was born on June 9, 1949 in Cabool, MO the daughter of Bernie Ray and Edna Louise (Smith) Strong. As a child, Helen grew up in the Cabool area, playing with siblings and friends. She attended the old Union School and Cabool Schools where she received her diploma.

In 1965, Helen was united in marriage to James Ellis Sears and to this union two sons were born. Most of Helen's adult life was spent raising the boys and working at the Kabul Nursing Home, where she had worked for the past 38 years. She loved her job; she had worked as a CAN, CMT and then continued her studies and became a licensed Physical Therapy Assistant. She became very close friends with many of her co-workers, but most of all she loved caring for and helping the residents. When told by others that she could make more money at a hospital, she always replied, "I don't want more money, I love my job and the people I work with."

Helen enjoyed taking vacations and trips to various places with friends and family. She enjoyed camping trips and cookouts, but her favorite pastime was doing things with her grandkids and great grandkids. Rarely was Helen seen without one or more of the grandkids by her side.

Helen attended Maness Memorial Baptist Church with a congregation that was like an extension of her family and where she witnessed many of her family members surrender their lives to Christ. She was one of those special people who could be tough while teaching you a hard lesson and still show you love at the same time. Helen will be terribly missed and her memory cherished until the day each of us meet her again in our Fathers Kingdom.

Helen was preceded in death by her father, Bernie Strong; her son, Roger Sears; a sister, Sandra Wake and a brother, Mike Strong. She is survived by her husband, James Sears of the home; her mother, Edna Strong of Cabool, MO; a son, Brad Sears of Cabool, MO; two brothers, Dallas Strong and Steve Strong, both of Cabool, MO; four grandchildren; three great grandchildren (and one on the way); as well as numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and many friends.