Helen Hillman Shears

Helen Hillman Shears, 90, of Middleburg, Florida, went home to God on Monday, March 28, 2017.  She was born in Kansas on April 4, 1926, the daughter of Verne and Martha (Grier) Hillman.  She was a member of the class of 1948 of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Go Hokies!), and had many fond memories of the dances she attended there.  In August 1949, she married Dennis McCall (“Mac”) Brown, and worked with him in student ministry until his death in 1959.  In 1960, she met and married William C. (“Bill”) Shears in Indonesia.  He would be her love for 56 years.  They returned to the United States in 1964 with two children, Charles William and Martha Jane.  Their 3rd child, Ian Andrew, would come along in 1966.  The family lived in Chester, VA, Wise, VA, and Kingsport, TN.  Bill and Helen retired to Covenant Towers in Myrtle Beach, SC in 2001, and moved to Middleburg, FL in 2011.  Helen’s life was one of service to the church and community.  In high school, she was the President of the Presbyterian Youth.  She led church circle meetings at Chester Presbyterian Church in Chester, Gladeville Presbyterian in Wise, and Colonial Heights Presbyterian in Kingsport, and was an active member of circles at First Presbyterian in Myrtle Beach.  She taught Sunday School, bible studies, and served in leadership positions in every church she joined.  She was awarded an Honorary Life Membership in the Presbyterian Women in 2010.  “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”  Helen was preceded in death by her parents, and her brother, Charles Harlan Hillman.  She is survived by her husband, Bill Shears of Middleburg, FL; one daughter and her husband, Martha and James Smith of Middleburg, FL; a son and his wife, Charles and Tricia Wassam Shears of Lubbock TX; a son, Ian Shears of Myrtle Beach, SC; and three grandchildren; Danielle Shears, Jason Wassam, and Jeremiah Wassam.