Helen Brown was known by many names – Helen, Honaree, Hon, Aunt Honey, Grandma, and Mum. On February 28, 2025, she entered the presence of her Lord and Savior after a life of love and faith. We will miss her very much but are comforted by the fact that she had given her life to Jesus even as a child.
Helen Marie Theresa Tester Brown was born January 4, 1944, in Homestead, Pa., to Herbert and Helen Szajlai Tester. Her Catholic family was Hungarian, and she was proud of that heritage, loving the traditions and food — especially the food. She loved to cook haluska, chicken paprikash, szalonna, kolachi, and nut, apricot, and lekvar rolls. We will never be able to duplicate those recipes.
She married her best friend and high school sweetheart, Larry Monroe Brown, on August 15, 1964, and they had one son, Jeffrey. She kept a home full of fun and laughter. The family moved from Pennsylvania to North Carolina to build and open Statesville KOA, which they owned and operated for over forty years. They retired only a few years ago. She loved reading, crocheting, decorating every room of the house with flowers, and completing challenging word puzzles. She loved to read her Bible and attended Command Baptist Church faithfully. A consummate host, she preferred to invite guests to her home instead of imposing (as she’d say) on others.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Patti.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband Larry; her son Jeff and his wife Kelly; and her granddaughters Patricia and Gillian. She is also survived by her sisters, Carol Thomas (Andrew) of Florida and Sharon Inglis (Harvey) of Pennsylvania, as well as their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Helen’s Life is being planned now and will be held at Command Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Command Baptist Church’s Benevolence Fund (658 Island Ford Road, Statesville NC 28625) or to Broad Street UMC’s Music Ministry (PO Box 169, Statesville NC 28687).
Troutman Funeral Home is serving the Brown family.
I am so sad to hear this news. Larry and Helen were warm and caring neighbors to my parents. Prayers for Larry and all the family at this time🙏🏼
So sorry to hear about Helen’s passing. Prayers for Larry and family.
We are so sorry to hear of Helen’s passing. She was such a sweet and lovely person. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Larry and the family. Helen will be greatly missed. You can take comfort in knowing she is with her Lord and Savior! Claude & Beth Spann