Obituary of Mary Helen Davis

Mary Helen Davis passed into the arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ, on May 5, 2023 at the age of 91. The Funeral Service, conducted by Reverend Claudia Williamson, will be at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 in the chapel of Sellars Funeral Home, located in Lebanon TN. Interment in Wilson County Memorial will follow the service. Mary Helen’s grandsons will serve as Pallbearers. The family will be receiving friends at Sellars Funeral Home on Tuesday from 11 a.m. until the service begins at 1 p.m.

Mary Helen Hemontolor Davis was born on March 21st, 1932 in Watertown, TN to Dollie Cheek Hemontolor and James Horace Hemontolor. She grew up with a love of country music and a talent for square dancing. As a young adult, she enjoyed both hobbies as part of the “Ralph Sloan and the Tennessee Travelers” group, a staple act at the legendary Grand Ole Opry. Mary Helen also had a passion for health and wellness, which was evident to the many who exclaimed that she “never aged.” She turned this passion into her choice of career by studying to become an esthetician, working at Advanced Chiropractic, and even opening her own businesses as the owner of The Herb Shop and Marnel Skincare. While Mary Helen had many hobbies she enjoyed, none compared to the joy of being with her family, and as the mother of ten, she was destined to have a big family. Family get-togethers (sometimes exceeding over 50 people) were always filled with lots of laughter, games, music, and of course, lots of love. With her young-at-heart personality, “Nanny” could often be found spending time with her grandchildren - whether in a late night card game, loving on her great-grandchildren, or making everyone laugh alongside her own infectious laughter. Mary Helen left a legacy as the matriarch of a big, loving family, and as big as her family gatherings were here on Earth, we know that she had an even bigger welcoming party waiting to greet her in heaven. As a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, her faith was an important part of her life, and she looked to the future with joy and hope in knowing where her eternal home lie waiting for her. 

Mary Helen is survived by children, Jane (Ken) Forsythe, Tony (Claudia) Williamson, Tom Williamson, Marilyn (Tommy) Davis, Vicky Williamson, David Williamson, Angie (Randy) Jacobs, and Belinda (Marty) Jones; 18 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by two sons, Danny Williamson and Terry Williamson; great-grandchildren, including “angel babies” Jessica Barnes, Sam Williamson, and Ruby Mallory; parents, Dollie and Jim Hemontolor; 7 siblings; and beloved best friend of 72 years, Betty Ann Thompson.

Arrangements by Sellars Funeral Home, Lebanon TN, 615.444.9393.