Prudence Helen Washburn Evans

Prudence "Helen" Washburn Evans, 85, of Little Rock, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 28, 2012. Helen was born on August 11, 1926 to James H. Godwin and Bernice Emily Godwin in Little Rock, Arkansas. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and a friend to many. She attended and graduated from Little Rock High in 1944. Helen was a self-taught artist who specialized in oils and pastels. While attending East Side Junior High, one of her paintings, titled "Mutual Protection," was displayed in the Little Rock Museum of Fine Arts. This painting was one of the first by a public school student to be exhibited at the museum. She was known in Little Rock for her exceptional portrait work during the 50's and 60's, mastering a portrait of the late Arkansas Governor Sid McMath in the early 1950's while she was employed as a switchboard operator at the State Capitol. She was a dedicated military wife while married to "Jimmy." Later in life, while married to Jay, they worked together in telecommunications. More recently, she was a resident at Powell Towers in Little Rock, where she worked as the front desk receptionist. She was known for her beautiful smile, which she extended to everyone who entered the lobby. Everyone knew "Miss Helen!" Our mother and grandmother will be remembered for her talent, her beauty, her loving heart and, above all, her unmatched strength to rise above insurmountable obstacles. During the last year of her life, she was referred to as a miracle by many who knew her. She was, in every sense of the word, our hero. Helen was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Harry Smith, James E. Washburn and George Jay Evans and daughter-in-law, Mary Mitchell Washburn. She is survived by her son, James Godwin Washburn of Little Rock; daughter, Melody Ann Washburn Murray and her husband, David, of Sheridan, Arkansas; step-sister, Joyce Wilmon of Little Rock; grandson, Neill Washburn and his wife, Shelly, of Jackson, Mississippi; granddaughter, Amy Platt and her husband, Kipp, of Conway, Arkansas; granddaughter Jennifer E. Hogue and her husband, Brandon, of Lakeland, Tennessee; great-grandson, Easton Platt of Conway, Arkansas and great-granddaughter, Diana Jane Hogue, of Lakeland, Tennessee. The family wishes to thank the staff of Good Shepherd Nursing Center and Odyssey Hospice of Little Rock. Also, a special thank you to Dr. David Hicks and to Good Shepherd nurse, Katina Shelton. Thank you, Katina, for the many phone calls and updates you provided while caring for our beautiful mother and grandmother. You were very special to her. A memorial service celebrating Helen's life will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 19th at First Presbyterian Church Argents, 401 N. Maple, North Little Rock, Arkansas with Rev. Anne Russ officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Helen's memory, to The Wolfe Street Foundation, Inc., 1015 Louisiana, Little Rock, Ark. 72202. To sign the online guestbook, go to www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.