Helen Regina Jacobs Stith was born on August 26, 1933, in Portsmouth, Virginia’s Historic Truxton District. She was the eldest of three daughters born to Albert Wesley “Bud” Jacobs and Elizabeth “Lizzie Beth” Northington Jacobs Harris. Helen led a life marked by dedication and accomplishment.

On Friday, November 7, 2025, the Lord whispered peace be thine and closed the eyes of His faithful servant. Helen passed away at the age of 92. She was a devoted wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-aunt, and friend.

Helen attended Portsmouth Public Schools, graduating from I.C. Norcom High School. In 1955, she received her B.S. in Music from Virginia State College in Petersburgh, Virginia. Encouraged by industrious parents, Helen and her sisters consistently strived for excellence. On June 22, 1957, Helen married Thomas Stith and together they raised three children, Bené Veronica, Karen Caroline, and Thomas II.

Helen built a notable career in music, serving as an educator and choral director in Portsmouth and Norfolk public schools, and at Noble Street Baptist Church in Portsmouth where she also served as an organist. Seeking new challenges, Helen and Thomas relocated to Houston, Texas where she received her J.D. from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University. She went on to serve as a legal clerk and held several roles with Harris County government.

Deeply engaged with the world around her, Helen devoted herself to volunteering in her church, schools, community, and the arts. She held memberships in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the Links (Portsmouth Chapter), the Portsmouth Music Study Club, the Optimist Club of Portsmouth, and National Women of Achievement (Houston Chapter). Known for her dignity and grace, Helen encouraged young people to become positive forces in their communities.

Helen began her religious journey at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, continuing at St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church in Portsmouth. After marriage, Helen became a member of Noble Street Baptist Church. In January 1968, Helen and her family joined First Lutheran Church of Portsmouth and later Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Houston.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather Richard Ridely Harris, husband Thomas Stith, and sisters Eleanor Hortense Jacobs Jones and Soundrey Ann Guidry.

Helen is lovingly remembered by her children and their spouses: Bené Stith Thomas and her husband, Dwain A Thomas of Richmond, Texas, Karen Stith Weems and her husband, Orson Weems of Rogers, Arkansas, and her son Thomas Stith II and his wife Kimberly Gee Stith of Houston, Texas. She also leaves to mourn: two sisters-in-law Dollie Mae Stith Paul of Portsmouth, Virginia and Amelia Etheridge Stith of San Diego, California; brother-in-law, Alfred O. Guidry and his wife Marnie Guidry of Richmond, Texas; five grandchildren Tito Hunt, Brandon Thomas, Jordan Weems, Lauren Weems Farley, and Thomas Maxwell Stith III; great-grandchildren Kamaya Bates, Wynter Hunt and Eugene “Jett” Farley, III.; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.