Helen Overley

Tupleo - Helen Elizabeth Overley, 86, died Friday, July 8, 2011, at Homeplace after a brief illness. A native of Napton, Mo., she was born July 27, 1924 to Newt and Edith Hollywood. She was a homemaker until her children were raised and then she became part of the working force as the manager of the Holiday Shop in Tupelo. She also worked at Reeds Gift Shop and Millies Hallmark until her health forced her to retire in 2004. She loved being a mother and wife but then equally loved working in retail. Her family, especially her sons-in-law and her grandson-in-law , will remember her as a wonderful cook. All who knew her will remember her as a person with a great sense of humor and the rare gift to be the first to laugh at herself. She was gracious and always grateful to others for any care, service or kindness shown to her, her family or friends.

A memorial service will be held for the family Saturday afternoon in the chapel at First United Methodist Church. W. E. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include two daughters, Garra Owens (Hank) of Tupelo and Tammy Tallent (Garry) of Whitefish, Montana; her son-in-law, Mike Simmons of Norman, Okla.; seven grandchildren, Elizabeth Rose (Kevin) of Tupelo, Ariel Owens of Tupelo, Lauren Simmons of Norman, OK, Olivia Tallent and Isaac Tallent, both of Whitefish, and Clay Simmons of Oklahoma City and Meredith Simmons Smith (Drew), of Tulsa, Okla.; four great-grandchildren, Lilee and Walter Rose of Tupelo and Madeline Smith and Anderson Smith of Tulsa, Okla..

She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Thomas Overley; her parents; one daughter, Carol Simmons, and one brother, Kenneth Hollywood
Memorials may be made to .Sanctuary Hospice House, Tupelo, Ms