Helen Izora Rollins Ward, age 93

Helen Izora Rollins Ward (Jan 13, 1931 – Jan 2, 2025) was the ninth child born to Freddie and Marion H. Clarke Rollins at their home near a junction of roads from Essex, King & Queen, and Caroline counties; in Beazley, Virginia. Her parents were farmers and were part of a close-knit Rappahannock community that can trace their lineage back to the 1670’s.  Her mother, Mrs. Freddie Rollins (Marion Clarke) was the granddaughter of Sarah Francis Nelson (a sister to Virginia’s first governor, “Major” Thomas Nelson) whose inherited land adjoined the old Indian burial ground that faces the road from Tappahannock to Beazley, VA. The early generations of Rollins, Clarke, Byrds, Bundy, Fortunes, and Richardsons some still live in this area.

When the time came for Helen to enter school, she moved to NYC with (her mother’s sister) Helen Beatrice, and her uncle, Jimmy Walker Morrison who would raise her to adulthood.  Little Helen began showing her unique talent from an early age. Living in NYC offered her lots of opportunities to see other young talent. Taking dance and voice lessons, she soon belonged to the Holy Trinity Junior Choir and later the Inwood Jr High Orchestra in 1944, playing guitar –her chosen instrument. Helen would go on to record and perform in 1948 on RKO Radio- Manhattan singing “Cow Cow Boogie” and “I only have Eyes for You” that won her a talent contest.  Her Uncle Jimmie worked at Radio City Music Hall, so she was exposed to other talents that would help begin her journey into a professional music career. Helen’s long wavy auburn hair, hazel eyes, olive complexion, and crooner-style alto voice would become her lasting trademark.

In 1951, while performing for the American troops in upstate NY, with her all-girl trio called the Rhythmettes, Helen met a young USAF pilot from Omaha, Nebraska, H.A. “Hal” Ward. The following year on Sept 15, 1952, they would marry.  Using the stage name, Helen Ward Starr, she would continue her music –singing and performing at military Officers Clubs and other events throughout their marriage–with a few paid gigs in between. Many nights growing up my sister’s and I would sit on the floor before bedtime and watch Mom sing love songs to our dad. He dearly loved it.  This union lasted 34 years until Hal’s death in September 1985.  For Helen the music did not end. She would continue to sing for the next 30 years ending each performance –whether public or private–with one of her love songs for Hal.  Her two standards “Can’t help Lovin’ that man of Mine” and “When all the Things you are –are Mine” ended every performance for decades to come. Playing her 1952 custom Gibson guitar behind a mic with her crooner style approach to jazz music made her unique and popular regardless of the venue.

Together Hal & Helen had four talented daughters born in 1955, 1956, 1960, 1961 –who moved with Hal’s military assignments until the family landed in Great Falls, Montana, in the summer of 1963. Here the family remained and called Montana home. Still using her authentic approach to jazz and her sassy humor, Helen continued to perform after Hal’s passing, recording, again, her music, while playing with multiple jazz ensembles. She performed her last paid gig in 2002, at a piano bar venue in Caesar’s Palace, after recording her last CD “Alright Again” with Flery Burse’y Ensemble in Las Vegas in 2001, at the age of 70.

Within a decade, Helen’s health required a move to Cabot, Arkansas, to be with her youngest daughter, Patti, who became her loving caretaker until the end.

Helen Ward “Starr” passed away peacefully, on January 2, 2025, at Baptist Spring Hill in North Little Rock, Arkansas. She is preceded in death by her parents and her siblings: Reginald Golbis, Edna Bundy, Ida Byrd, Fred Rollins Jr, Oliver Lindberg “Pete” Rollins, Bessie J Cherry, Wm David Rollins, and one infant sister.

Helen leaves behind a long family legacy, survived by her only remaining sister, Virginia “Jenny” Braxton.  She is also survived by her four daughters, Cynthia Lynn (Duffy) and husband, Thomas in Great Falls, Montana; Sharon Lee (Hightower) and husband, Richard in Bastrop, Texas; Tammy Laree (Helwig) and husband Mark in Gig Harbor, WA; and Patricia Linda (McFadden) and husband, Andy Wilmoth of Cabot, Arkansas, and her only son claimed—shirt-tail relative, Scott Urquhart of Great Falls, MT.  Helen’s grandchildren:  Conrad Duffy, Erin Gracie (Duffy) O’Brien and husband Joseph, Racheal (McFadden) Sims and her husband, Victor; Shayna Hightower; Joshua McFadden and his wife, Gennifer; Brittany Hightower; Taylor (Helwig) Fesuluai and her husband Richie; Royce McClain & his wife Megan; Toni (Helwig) Smith and her husband Riley; and Dalton Wilmoth.

Also surviving are her many great-grandchildren:  Deegan W. Duffy, Joseph “Tuff” O’Brien, Dominic Sims, Tynlee G. Duffy, Jaelynn McFadden, G. Emme Hope O’Brien, Bryson McFadden, Peyton Rochelle Fesuluai, Declan Smith and Charlie Smith.

Today, Helen will be singing again to her life companion, Hal, giving her infamous rendition of “Ain’t Misbehavin” at the pearly gates. We’ll miss you, Mom.

Helen’s memorial service will be held on her birthday, Jan 13, 2025, at First NLR Church at 10:00 a.m.  Instead of flowers, Helen had suggested memorial donations in her name to First NLR or Dog/Animal Rescue Organizations in your local area.  Burial will be held in Great Falls, Montana, later this spring.

Arrangements by A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076. 501-982-3400. Condolences for the family may be shared online at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com