Helen Frances Rippetoe Hayne Jett

For someone so special, it is hard to know where to start or what to write. So if I leave something out, be sure and write and include it in the blog. Helen was born in Sharples, W.Va. d and 2 1/2 yrs. later she had twin sibblings arrive and I'm sure it was hard to adjust to that. We moved later to Charleston and life began. First thing I remember is her going to the river bank and bringing home babies to bathe and dress in her doll clothes. (that was when the very poor lived on river boats) Our address was Virginia Ave. and a block over was the Kanawha river. She grew to become a beautiful child and gorgeous teen ager. We loved living on Washington St later because the boys drove by and tooted to us or stopped to talk. Helen was Miss Everything!! Miss Charleston Gazette Miss morris Harvey, Miss Mt. Lion, Queen of the Mountain Laurel Festival in Elkins, W.Va. many more . At Morris Harvey, she dated the popular basketball players. She dated Frank Bradley and was engaged to him during the war. She had her teeth in braces while he was gone and it was dreadful. she had the rushed treatment and it was very painful. He was killed in Europe and she gave her engagement ring to Nana because she had never had a diamond ring! need I say more? She was the receptionist for two governors and very well known at the state house. Opps, got ahead of myself! She worked at Carbide and dated all the attraactive, well educated Ivy League boys. We local girls called them the DDD's (That stands for dam draft dodgers) loved them because that was all that was left in town. Bob Hayne entered the picture . a neat couple they made. they lived in many neighorhoods . had the 2 children they wished for ..Anne and John. Lala was always doing for others. started early and never slowed.She was easy to live with. I don't remember her ever losing her temper. She loved her church and the 3 Rippetoe girls went to church in their hats and little white gloves and always stopped by "Mikes" to have a coke where everyone gathered. Lala tanned so beautifully and asked me to join her in the back yard on the quilt . In about 20 min she looked over to me and said "Oh, Ruthie, I an soooo sorry" I was blistered and 10,000 freckles! She was in charge of "Meals on Wheels" and got Bob involved w/paper work. He loved it. Planned the routes,who? where? when? etc. Helen received the highest reward the Presbyterians give . Such an honor. The Haynes ended up being marvelous tour guides for Europe and others. made many trips and Bill and I were fortunate to go for 3 wks. Bob tricked us by recording our conversations on the balcony of our room in Rome. We were weary and with our Vino before dinner, he tricked us. Our main conversation was constipation!! I have the tape but too embarrassed to play, think I'll deep-six it.Helen Frances was such a loving person.beautiful on the inside as well. Bob Swiger wrote her a letter after Bob died and expressed what a wonderful person she was . Told her what a real lady she was at all times. She was a dedicated nurse taking care of Bob during his illness too. Later, Richard Jett swooped her off her feet. He had a plane flying over Antique w/banner saying "Lala, will you marry me?'" hOW ROMANTIC IS THAT? They moved to Louisville and we had many laughs and good times togetherWe went to Churchill Downs and that's when she had the stroke. Fortunately we got to the hospital in time for the necessary treatment.they moved back to Myrtle Beach and another home decorated with style. You must gather by now she had style, love and class in every move. She loved her children and their children more than anything! Am sure they will carry her goodness on.