Helen Louise Ballard Portman, age 87, of Hendersonville, Tennessee, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, June 28, 2026. She passed away peacefully at Avail Senior Living in Cleveland, Tennessee after a courageous battle with dementia.

Friends called her Helen, while her daughters’ friends knew her as Mrs. Portman or Miss Po-Po. To her siblings, she was Queenie, and her husband of 55 years called her Darlin’. Her daughters called her Mama, and later Mom. But of all the names she went by, her absolute favorite was Grammie—the title given by her 6 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. She was adored by everyone whose path she crossed, regardless of the name they used.

Helen was born on February 10, 1939, in Augusta, Georgia. When she was just four years old, her family moved to Rome, Georgia, the town where she would grow up and live until she married. Helen attended Rome schools and graduated from Rome High School in 1957. Helen was extremely involved in school activities during her high school years. She held officer positions in student council, won awards in numerous academic clubs, and brought her radiant smile and energy to the cheerleading squad. She was such a loving, uplifting person that everyone wanted to be around her. It was no surprise that she was voted Most Popular and crowned Homecoming Queen, earning her the lifelong, affectionate nickname, “Queenie.”

After high school, Helen attended Shorter College in Rome for two years. Though she promised her father she would earn her degree, a summer job changed the course of her life. While working at the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly in Black Mountain, North Carolina she met William “Bill” Madison Portman, a youth group leader with striking blue eyes, and the connection was instant. Choosing the path of wife and mother, Helen married Bill on June 13, 1959. They shared 55 beautiful, deeply devoted years together, truly embodying the biblical ideal of marriage. Even twelve years after Bill’s passing, Helen’s love for him never wavered. She would still smile with warmth in her eyes and fondly declare, "I just loved that man."

After marrying, Helen and Bill lived in Louisville, Kentucky; Danville, Virginia; and Marietta, Georgia, before finally settling in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Their beloved house on Oak Place would remain the heart of the family for 57 years, serving as their shared home until Bill's passing, and staying in the family until it was sold just last week.

Helen’s first years in Hendersonville were devoted to raising her daughters. Choosing to focus entirely on her family, she wholeheartedly embraced being a stay-at-home mom, making sure she was always there to welcome her girls home each day after school. Helen was the ultimate cheerleader for her loved ones. Though not known for her own athletic ability, she spent countless hours on gym bleachers, at tennis courts and ballfields, happily cheering on her husband and daughters. When her girls were older, Helen decided to share her natural gift for nurturing children by becoming a kindergarten teacher and later the director of the program at First Baptist Church of Hendersonville. She later transitioned into banking, working as a bookkeeper and teller at Citizens Bank of Hendersonville until her retirement. Helen also poured her passion for creativity into the community, proudly serving on the Hendersonville Arts Council.

Nothing was more important to Helen than her family and friends, except for her deep faith in Jesus Christ. While growing up, Rome First United Methodist Church played an important role in her life and always held a special place in her heart. Upon moving to Hendersonville, she became deeply involved in Hendersonville First Baptist Church. In addition to her leadership role with the young children, she also served on the Flower Committee, arranging floral displays for the sanctuary services. Helen was the epitome of the Proverbs 31 woman. “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.” ~ Proverbs 31:29-31

Helen will leave a lasting legacy, rooted in her favorite tradition of giving out "Happies"—those random little surprises meant to just make you smile. She also never missed an occasion to send a thoughtfully picked-out card, always making sure you knew she was thinking of you. Her family was at the center of everything she did, and that devotion is her true legacy. It is heartwarming to see her grandchildren carrying on Grammie’s traditions. Helen Ballard Portman’s life is a testament to kindness, generosity, and love—not only to her family, but to all who were blessed to know her.

Helen is preceded in death by her husband, Bill Portman; parents, Bob & Lena Ballard; and sisters, Elizabeth “Sissy” Moore and Dixie Morton. Helen is survived by daughters, Pamela Quinn and Jodi Tillotson (Rodney); sister, Judy Dempsey; brothers, Bob and Jack Ballard; grandchildren, Sarah and Laura Quinn, Kelli Quinn Schwartz (Joey), Reid, Ashlyn, and Parker Tillotson; and great-grandchildren, Ruthie, Whitsun, and Revere Schwartz.

The family will receive visitors on Saturday, July 11, 2026, from 9:00 to 11:00 am (Central Time) at Hendersonville Memory Gardens Funeral Home, located at 353 E. Main Street, Hendersonville, TN 37075. A funeral service will follow immediately at 11:00 am. Afterward, guests are invited to attend a brief graveside service at 12:00 pm, where Helen will finally be reunited and laid to rest next to the love of her life.

To honor Helen’s memory, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Pat Summitt Foundation to support Alzheimer's research and the search for a cure (patsummitt.org). Gifts are also warmly welcomed at Rome First United Methodist Church, the cherished church home where Helen was raised and married (romefirst.org).

As we come together to celebrate Helen’s remarkable life, guests are invited to wear her favorite color pink, spring pastels, or bright summer colors to reflect her vibrant spirit and personality.