Eleanor Frances Helmon

March 2, 1926 – September 16, 2026

Eleanor Frances McKee was born on March 2, 1926, in Rocheport, Missouri, to Benjamin and Clara Odella McKee, Eleanor arrived as the youngest of fourteen children in a vibrant, bustling family. Growing up alongside her five brothers, Orville, Leroy, William Bryan, Herbert, and George Angel—and her eight sisters—Alice, Bertha, Luella, Queen Victoria, Mamie Clara, Benny, Dorthy, and Carrie—Eleanor learned early on that family was everything. Her childhood was filled with cherished moments alongside her brothers Leroy and Orville, especially their frequent fishing trips—a favorite pastime that seamlessly carried into adulthood and always guaranteed a lively, delicious fish fry!

The family later settle in Des Moines, where Eleanor graduated from East High School. Not long after, a twist of fate on a bus ride changed her life forever. While traveling to Liberty, Missouri, to visit her dear friend Thelma Helmon, a handsome young man boarded the bus and took the seat right beside her. Unbeknownst to Eleanor at the time, he was Thelma’s brother, Alfred Virgil Helmon. That shared bus ride sparked a beautiful love story, and the two were married in Liberty on March 10, 1945.

Together, Eleanor and Alfred built a life rooted in joy and deep connection. They were blessed with four children: Tyrone, Alfred Jr., Thomas (Tommy), and Chriseta. Family was the undisputed epicenter of Eleanor’s world. Her children fondly remember a home overflowing with love—from sunny summer picnics and popcorn-filled movie nights to regular family reunions where cousins were treated like a second set of siblings. Eleanor made sure her home was a place where everyone felt surrounded by warmth and belonging.

With a keen eye for fashion and design, Eleanor began her career as a clerk at the Cotton Shop in Des Moines, Iowa, where she was the first African American woman to serve as a clerk. She later served as a Curator for Joseph Jewelry, where her flair for style shone through her beautifully crafted floor and window displays. Later in life, driven by her enduring love for children, she became a bus aide with the Des Moines Public Schools, where she eventually retired. In every role she held, coworkers knew her as a dedicated, exceptionally hard worker who was warmly loved by all.