05/26/2026
Helen Ruth Brown, affectionately known by many as “GrandmaPooh,” passed away Monday, May 25, 2026, at her home surrounded by the love, memories, and family she spent a lifetime nurturing. Born Helen Ruth Bolin on November 13, 1938, in Los Angeles County, California, Helen’s life was defined by resilience, creativity, devotion, and unwavering love for her family.
Raised during the hardships of the 1940s, Helen experienced a humble but remarkable childhood in California. While her father, Raymond Leon Bolin, worked along the railroads through the Donner Pass region and surrounding western rail lines, the family at times lived in a railroad boxcar. Those early years shaped her throughout her life. She was the daughter of the late Raymond Leon Bolin and Bessie Ruth Brazell and grew up in the Venice, California area.
In July of 1965, Helen married Maurice Brown Sr. Together they built a devoted marriage centered on faith, hard work, sacrifice, and family. Through the years, they created a home filled with love, music, traditions, laughter, and memories while raising six children together. Helen worked throughout her life in several roles, including positions with Seven Seas, Brown’s Shop & Save, Morrison’s, Walmart, and as a school bus driver. Her greatest work was the life she built for those she loved.
She was a gifted seamstress, crafter, scrapbooker, gardener, and keeper of family history. Rarely without a camera in hand, Helen preserved countless moments through photographs, carefully assembled photo albums, and scrapbooks that became treasured family keepsakes. She was known for her creativity, cooking, canning, strength, and ability to make something out of almost nothing. Family and friends will remember homemade meals, holiday traditions, beach trips, records playing in the den, and homemade Christmas cookies during family gatherings. Music filled her home and her heart, especially songs by Elvis Presley, The Beach Boys, Johnny Mathis, and The Carpenters.
Helen believed deeply in making the most out of what you have, a lesson she lived daily and passed on to her children and grandchildren. A faithful member of the Church of Christ, Helen carried her faith through every season of life with humility, quiet strength, and compassion for others. To her family, she was more than a mother and grandmother- she was “GrandmaPooh,” the heart of countless family traditions, holidays, meals, photographs, and memories. More than anything, Helen will be remembered as the heart of her family- a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Her legacy lives on in the traditions she created, the memories she preserved, and the family she cherished above all else.
Helen was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Maurice Brown Sr; her brother, Jimmy Charles Bolin; her sister, Dorothy May Price; and her granddaughter, Tiffany Bapties daughter of Dwaine and Susan Bapties.
She leaves behind a large and loving family, including her children and their families: Johnny and Sue Bapties, Dwaine and Susan Bapties, Denise Ross, Tina and Ken Swanson, Maurice Jr. and Sheila Brown, and Raymond and Teresa Brown. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, extended family members, and lifelong friends whose lives were forever touched by her love and guidance. She will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever carried in the hearts of all who knew her.
A funeral will be held at 11 am, Saturday, May 30, 2026, at Robinson Funeral Home, officiated by Pastor Duane Seagle. Burial will be held at Journeys End Cemetery, Ulrich Plantation Rd, Phenix, VA (Next to left passed 367).
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Robinson Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family. An online condolence may be sent by visiting www.robinsonfuneral.com.
