Obituary of Helen Gravette

Helen Elizabeth Hornbuckle Gravette peacefully passed away on April 3. 2021 at her home in Wilkesboro at age 93.  Helen was born August 25, 1927 in Hillsborough to Paul Jacob Hornbuckle and Pansy Freeland Hornbuckle.  Helen spent much of her early years with her grandparents Irving and Minnie Freeland and her aunts and uncles who treated her like a sister.  She was proud to be a Freeland and was the oldest living Freeland from her family.  Lewis Turner Gravette and Helen were wed at New Hope Presbyterian Church on June 30, 1950.  They were married for 64 years.

Helen spent her work life at Western Electric in Burlington and the AT&T Guilford Center where she developed friendships and her loyalty to AT&T, always refusing to have any phone but an AT&T.  Upon retirement after 30 plus years of service she opened the Daniel Boone County Store in the Daniel Boone Village, Hillsborough.  Alongside her husband the two of them collected and sold antiques to folks from across the east coast.  Helen also became a Key Dealer of Tom Clark Gnomes and other collectibles.  She considered the Tom Clark Gnomes her personal friends and could share the story of each gnome with her customers.

Helen was a member of New Hope Presbyterian Church for over 50 years. She was especially proud when her daughter and son-in-law were married at New Hope using the same vows that she and Lewis pledged to each other.

In the winter of 2015 Helen moved to Wilkesboro to live near her daughter. She always remembered and loved the years she spent on Crawford Road in the home she and Lewis built and lived in for over 55 years. Helen loved her Crawford Road neighbors and always looked forward to a trip to visit them.

Preceding Helen in passing are her parents, her husband Lewis Gravette, brother Bobby Hornbuckle and special cousin Donna Freeland.

Left to cherish memories of Helen are her daughter Susan Gravette Cogdill, and husband Gary (Wilkesboro, NC); grandsons Ryan Cogdill and wife Tracy (Glenelg, MD) and Wesley Cogdill and wife Kristen (Boiling Springs, NC); great granddaughters, Madison , Allison, Lilly and soon to be born Baby Girl Cogdill and great grandson Benjamin. Also surviving are sisters in law Virginia Gravette Wilkerson (Hillsborough) and Jeanette Hornbuckle (Charlotte) and nieces, nephews and cousins that many affectionately called Aunt Henny; and grand dog “Rudy”.

The family would like to thank Mountain Valley Hospice and Amanda Handy RN for the care provided. Special care giver Sharon Prevette shared love and care for Helen and developed a bond like no other.  A heartfelt appreciation to Charlene Wyatt and Missy Mayberry who provided comfort and care in the end is also expressed.

Graveside services will be held 1:00 PM Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at Hillsborough Town Cemetery with Rev. Steve Snipes officiating.  The family lovingly requests that all attending the services wear facial coverings and practice social distancing. 

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, 401 Technology Lane, Suite 200, Mount Airy NC 27030.