Helen Elizabeth (Hooper) Dillard

Helen Elizabeth Dillard, 86, resident of Eldorado passed away May 8, 2017 at Eldorado Nursing and Rehab. Helen was born December 14, 1930 in Eldorado to the late Martin and Marie (Day) Hooper. Helen married Hubert J. Dillard who preceded her in death.  In 1948 Helen began her career at Ferrell Hospital in Laboratory Sciences. She worked at Ferrell Hospital for 20 years then in 1968 accepted a position at Hardin County Hospital as a Bench Tech and later became Laboratory Supervisor. In 1980 Helen accepted the position of Laboratory Supervisor at Pearce Hospital.  When Pearce Hospital closed in 1989 she went to work at the Harrisburg Clinic as a Clinical Scientist where she was the only laboratory technical staff member for several physicians offices.  Helen worked full time until 1995 when she “semi-retired.” Helen was anointed with the gift of music and she used this gift to celebrate the love of Jesus Christ in many places including, First Baptist Church of Eldorado and the Eldorado Church of God. In her earlier years she also played for various quartets. Helen was an active member of the Red Hats for God Group. Helen is survived by a daughter, Shari B. Hirst of Eldorado; a son, Gregory Dillard (Renee Ferrell Dillard) of Makanda; grandchildren, Tiana Dillard Sutton, Chrystal Dillard Braddock, Brian Molloy, Logan Dillard, and Lane Dillard; great-grandchildren, Micheal Dillard, Meleah Braddock, Nathan Braddock, Noah Braddock, Jessie Braddock, Jordan Braddock, Acadia and Ian Sutton; a daughter-in-law Mary Cheek and by her beloved four-legged companion and "granddog" Emma Marie. In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded in death by two sons; Gregory Hirst and Douglas Dillard. Funeral services will be 1:00 pm Saturday, May 13, 2017 at Colonial Terrace Funeral Home in Eldorado with Rev. Randy Plunkett officiating.  Burial will be in Wolf Creek Cemetery.  Visitation will be Saturday, 10am to service time at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions are suggested to Deaconess VNA Hospice and will be accepted at the funeral home. Memorial contributions and expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family via the website www.colonialterracefuneralhome.com

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