Helen Faye Donaldson Sorrells

Helen Faye Donaldson Sorrells passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 17th while at home with her daughter. She was born on November 26, 1929 in Batesville, Mississippi and grew up the youngest of five children. She attended Batesville High school where she excelled academically, graduating as the Valedictorian of her class.  Helen Faye was a dedicated employee of Tallahachie Valley Electric Power Association where she began working in 1947, shortly after her high school graduation. While at TVEPA, Helen Faye forged many lifelong friendships that would follow her throughout the remainder of her life. The annual Christmas Party was one event that she looked forward to attending each year. Helen retired from TVEPA in 1998 after a remarkable 51 year career. 

Some of her most cherished memories were spent traveling with her late husband, Brother, to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Helen Faye enjoyed tending to her famed garden of hydrangeas and camellias as well as her weekly visits to the beauty shop and lunches with her daughter. She loved the holidays when her family would all gather, and especially enjoyed her holiday favorites of chicken and dressing and boiled custard. At home, Helen Faye looked forward to seeing the birds outside her window each day and enjoyed watching her favorite television programs. She was a true and ardent friend and a blessing to her family.  

She was preceded in death by her loving husband James W. “Brother” Sorrells, parents, Oscar Donaldson and Essie Gray Donaldson, and four siblings, two sisters, Daphner Martin and Dazmer Martin, and two brothers, Bill Donaldson and Tom Donaldson. She is survived by one daughter, Patricia Tramel of Batesville. Three grandchildren, Don Clayton of Batesville, Carrie Clayton Carullo (Matt) of Brentwood, TN and Cati Clayton Frey (Larson) of Oxford. Her legacy lives on in her eight great grandchildren, Jack, Keating, Louis, Lillian, Miller, Clayton, Shepard and namesake Grace Helena who all referred to her as “Dear.” 

Her family wishes to express gratitude to the caregivers who eased her path over the last few years. 

Services will be held at 3:00 P.M., February 20, 2022 at Curtis Union Church with the internment to follow in the church cemetery. The family will be receiving friends prior to the service beginning at 2:00 P.M.