Mary Helen Sumpter Cress

April 9, 1934 - April 15, 2016

Mary Helen Sumpter Cress, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, April 15, 2016, at the age of 82. She was born in Jonesville, VA to the late Charles and Elizabeth Jerrell Sumpter. She married William “Bill” Cress, Sr. in 1949 and served faithfully alongside him until his death in 2003. Mary Helen had a servant’s heart – she made sure the hungry were fed, volunteered at Flatwoods Primary for many years, and nothing made her happier than cooking a big meal for her family. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Neal Jerrell and Carlos Sumpter. She is survived by three sons, Charles Cress and wife Billie, William Cress Jr. and wife Kim, and Timothy Cress; three daughters, Dorothy McNiel and husband Bob, Debra Ledford and husband Robert, and Rita Brown; ten grandchildren, Mandi Wagner and husband Richie, Megan Ledford, Scott Brown and wife Deanna, Amie Dodson and husband Nick, Elizabeth Cress, Kristi Taylor and husband Nick, Elizabeth Cress, Kristi Taylor and husband Jared, Michael Cress, Nicholas Cress, Rachel Adams and husband Richie, and Emily Cress; eleven great-grandchildren, Remington and Maddie Cress, Britton and Davis Brown, Katie Ann Dodson, Anna and Isaac Taylor, Monica Livesay, Mary, Richie, and Brody Adams; four brothers, Paul Jerrell, Cecil Sumpter and wife Georgia, Buck Sumpter and wife Reba Sue, and Bill Sumpter and wife Rebecca; brother-in-law, Edgar Cress; and many nieces and nephews. Deepest appreciation is extended to her caregivers, Barbara Collingsworth and Sheila Cody, and the staffs of Lee Health and Rehabilitation Center and Norton Community Hospital, for their wonderful care in her last days. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7:00 p.m. Sunday, April 17, at Robinette Funeral Home in Jonesville. A celebration of her life will follow at 7:00 p.m. with Revs. Robert Ledford, George Flanary and Tim Cradic officiating. The graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 18, in Lee Memorial Gardens. Everyone is asked to meet at the cemetery by 10:45 a.m. for the graveside service.