Helen B Fellows, 91, died peacefully on Sunday, July 19, 2009, with her family at her side. She was born June 11, 1918, in St. Petersburg, to Wayne and Vestelle Blackburn and was the oldest of their five children.After graduating from Clearwater High in 1936, Helen attended college at Mars Hill, N.C. She worked for several years with her father, bookkeeping in his lumber business and she created the name for the Clearwater Bombers softball team as part her of father’s business sponsorship. Helen married her high school sweetheart, Russell D. Fellows, Sept. 9, 1939, in Clearwater. He taught her to love fishing, hunting and being outdoors.A product of the depression, Helen became an accomplished seamstress, making many new dresses and shirts for her children. She worked as secretary for several businesses around Clearwater as her children grew older. While she could always knit, crochet and cross stitch, she loved to do so just about anywhere. Many times Helen accompanied her husband in their boat and while he fished, she knitted, having a line in the water as well. Later Helen trained as an interior decorator, working for a time with her brothers at Blackburn Brothers Paints in Clearwater. She was active with her husband in the Power Squadron and Coast Guard Auxiliary.Retiring in 1980, the couple moved to Franklin, N.C. They spent several years touring the new countryside. They often took long day trips through the nearby mountains, stopping to picnic and cast a line in a nearby brook. In later years she and her husband made their home in Sebastian, and she became a quilter. Helen enjoyed being a member of “Stepping Stones Quilters”, a local club that specialized in creating baby quilts for charity. Many people were fortunate to benefit from her talents.Survivors include two younger sisters, Verna (Blackburn) Daniel and Waynette (Blackburn) Glenn; two children, Donald R. Fellows and Marjorie C. Duffell; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She was pre-deceased by her husband of 62 years; two brothers, Wallace and Wayne Blackburn; and one grandchild, Jeanine Fellows.A private family service will be held later. According to Helen’s wishes, her ashes will be scattered at sea with those of her husband.Arrangements by Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory, Sebastian. Condolences may be sent to www.Seawindsfh.com/obit.php.
