PARIS - Virginia Poe Dearing Helphenstine, 89, passed away Sat., May 15, 2004 at the Johnson Mathers Nursing Home in Carlisle.

Born March 3, 1915, in Robertson County, KY, she was a daughter of the late Truman and Sadie Tacket Poe. She is also preceded in death by four brothers, Olive T. Poe, William E. Poe, Truman 'Buster' Poe, and Robert Eugene Poe; two sisters, Delsie 'Pauline' Singleton and Letha Elmo Thompson; and her first husband Frank Dearing.

Survivors include her loving husband, Lewis Helphenstine, Jr. of Paris; a son, Donald (and Janet) Dearing of Kenton, OH; one daughter, Brenda Kay (and Robert) Abshear of Lexington; two brothers, Raymond Poe of Lexington and Helm Lewis Poe of Cynthiana; one sister, Lenora Williams of Stewart, FL; four grandchildren; and five great grandchildren.

Mrs. Helphenstine was a very active member of Bedford Acres Christian Church and she loved to travel, cook, and sew in her spare time.

Visitation will be Mon. evening from 6-9 pm at Lusk-McFarland Funeral Home and funeral services will be held at 11 am on Tues., at the funeral home with Pastor Jim Hutchison officiating. Burial will follow in the Paris Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to Bedford Acres Christian Church or to the Johnson Mathers Activity Fund.

Arrangements entrusted to Lusk McFarland Funeral Home.

Published in the Lexington Herald-Leader on 5/17/2004.