Helen Irby France

Spartanburg, SC- Helen I. France, 92 died Sunday, December 14, 2014 after a brief illness. Born March 12, 1922 in Greenville, SC, she was the daughter of the late Marjorie Evans Irby and John Lyllian Macfarlan Irby and widow of Ralph Martin France. After graduating from Converse College, Helen enlisted in the first class of Navy WAVES in November, 1942. She proudly served her country in Naval Intelligence until 1955 with assignments in Washington, DC, Jacksonville, FL, and New Orleans, La. While stationed in New Orleans she met her late husband Ralph. After her enlistment she enjoyed her life in New Orleans as wife and mother. She moved to Spartanburg in 1992 to be close to family. Mrs. France is survived by her two daughters Cecilia Arthur and her husband, Thomas, of Spartanburg, and Martine Buhmann and her husband, David, of Dallas, TX. She is also survived by her grandson, Robert Arthur and his wife, Mary Catherine; great grandson, Thomas of Mt. Pleasant, SC; and granddaughters, Katherine Arthur of Spartanburg and Sarah Buhmann of Dallas, TX. The family would like to express their deep gratitude to two special caregivers to Mrs. France, Barbara Rice and Francis Greene, along with the staff of Summit Hills Assisted Living. A memorial service will be held Sunday, December 28th, 2:00PM at the Episcopal Church of the Advent, officiated by The Reverend Stephen Y. McGehee. Interment will be in New Orleans at a later date. In remembrance of Helen, memorials may be made to the Episcopal Church of the Advent, 141 Advent St. Spartanburg, SC 29302 or Mobile Meals of Spartanburg, PO Box 461 Spartanburg, SC 29304.