Helen Louise Coleman Greear, 99.5, of Helen, Georgia, passed away on 08/14/2020.
Helen was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1921 to Esther Hahn and George McKenna.
Helen, sister Virginia and their mother moved to Seattle, Washington where Helen
earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Washington. She
was among the first women to graduate from the UW College of Architecture.
Helen met her husband, the late Sol C. Greear, on the US territory of Guam in July of 1948;
they married 45 days later in a Quonset hut on Guam. In 1949 Helen and Sol moved
to Atlanta to pursue careers and raise a family. Helen worked for Georgia State
Board of Education, designing schools and other educational facilities and was one
of the first registered women architects in Georgia.
In 1972, Helen and husband Sol moved to Sol’s beloved Northeast Georgia
Mountains. Helen worked at Pioneer Regional Educational Services Agency (RESA),
retiring in 1975. Helen was a multi-talented artist, working in fiber arts, watercolor,
colored pencil and pine needle basketry. Her children gave her the nickname “Multi-
Media Mama”. She was fundamental in the formation of the Yonah Mountain Fiber
Arts Guild and the Helen Arts and Heritage Center. Helen was an avid and prolific
reader. She attended The Episcopal Church of the Resurrection and was the oldest
person in the country to complete the Education for Ministry (EfM) program at the
age of 85.
Helen is preceded in death by Sol C. Greear (husband), Virginia Fiscus (sister) and
Ester Coleman (mother). Helen is survived by sons and their spouses, Sol C. Greear
Jr. & Janice P. Greear, Joseph C. Greear & Diane Buch, David W. Greear & Gail P.
Greear along with grandchildren, Sol C. Greear III, Hunter C. Greear, Nancy Greear
Roe, Emma Greear Autry, Clair Greear Lorenz and seven great-grandchildren.
Helen had a kind, gentle spirit, but was determined and accomplished in so many
ways. She was greatly loved and will be deeply missed by family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to the charity of your choice and
spend time with your family.
A celebration of Helen’s life will be held at a later date,
to be announced.