Helen Warren Echols, 99, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, October 1, 2026.

Helen was born on February 26, 1927, in Thomaston, Georgia in Upson County to the late Cleopus Anderson Warren and Annie Pearl Vining Warren. She graduated from R. E. Lee High School in Thomaston, Georgia in 1944, and from Georgia Southwestern College two years later in 1946. Helen went on to marry the love of her life, Leon F. Echols, Jr., on October 22, 1952. They dedicated their marriage to the Lord and served as a model for faithful living both in their relationship to each other and their devotion to their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Helen and her family moved to Warner Robins in 1954 and eventually found their church home at First United Methodist Church in December of 1957. It was there that Helen, who had begun playing the piano with Antioch Methodist Church in Thomaston when she was just fourteen years old, embarked upon fifty years of dedicated service as the First United Methodist Church pianist. This was not Helen’s only service role with FUMC either. She was also the church secretary for sixteen years, a member of the Chancel Choir and Friendship Sunday School Class, a chaperon and accompanist for the New Creations Youth Choir, a teacher and accompanist for Cheerful Cherubs Preschool, and spent time on the Bereavement Committee with the Women of Faith, Circle 2. Helen made an impact outside the church as well, touching the lives of countless students through her time as a substitute teacher and secretary to the principal at Miller Elementary School.

Helen’s life was one filled with faith, love, and joy. She loved her Lord, her church, and her family with all her heart – her greatest joy was in gathering her family together regardless of the occasion. Her decades of dedicated and devoted service modeled a selfless, caring heart that leave behind a lasting impression across generations.

In addition to her parents, Helen was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Leon F. Echols, Jr.; her brothers, Frank and Joe; her nephew, Ray; and her daughter, Judy Ann Echols Youmans (Gene).

Her memory will forever be treasured by her son, Leon F. Echols, III (Kim); her four grandchildren, Jason Youmans (Torie), Ryan Youmans (Logan), Julia Echols (Melody), and Taylor Echols (Hayley); her nine great grandchildren, Asher, Evie, Stella, Daylen, Savannah and Brixton Youmans, William, Mason, and Levi Echols; her nephew, Joe Warren (Janet); and her nieces, Betty McIntee (John), Angela Warren Chambers, Diane Gray (Michael), Jean Bigger, and Brenda Cavanah.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at McCullough Funeral Home. A funeral service will take place Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Warner Robins. Helen will then be laid to rest in the Mausoleum at Parkway Memorial Gardens.

The family will accept flowers or memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Warner Robins at https://www.welcometofirst.org/.

McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.