Helen Davis Seamands

October, 20, 1922 - January, 03, 2013

Helen Davis Seamands, 90, widow of the late David A. Seamands, died on January 3, 2013, at the Holloway Home of Wesley Village in Wilmore.

Born October 20, 1922, in Nicholas County, Kentucky, she was the daughter of the late Rev. Warner P. and Jessica Hillis Davis. She was a graduate of Asbury University, a missionary, devoted pastor's wife, mother of three, grandmother of nine, and great-grandmother of fifteen.

She and her husband David served 16 years as missionaries to south India with the Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church. Upon returning to the United States, David was appointed pastor of the Wilmore United Methodist Church where he served for over twenty years and later taught at Asbury Theological Seminary.

Helen's gift was hospitality, and part of that gift was transforming every place she lived into a place of beauty and grace. Fresh-cut flowers and the beautiful, restful environment of her home, to which everyone was welcomed, was part of the way she served others. Many parishioners enjoyed her delicious, home-cooked meals, and her wry sense of humor. She was a small group leader in Marriage Enrichment Weekends and led a weekly Bible study for the wives of Asbury Seminary students.

Seminary wives wrote her letters to tell her that she had been an example for them as they entered ministry with their husbands. Her love of the music and poetry of hymns was an inspiration to her family, and she memorized many of the hymns of Charles Wesley.

She was preceded in death by a son David Seamands, Jr., who died as an infant during her missionary service in India, and her brother Billy Davis. She is survived by her children Sharon (Peter) Irvine of Tulsa; Stephen (Carol) Seamands of Wilmore; and Deborah (Keith) Mostad of Nicholasville; her grandchildren David (Sarah) John, Sarah (Chris) Zweifel, and Hannah Irvine; Matthew (Pam) Seamands, Jason (Dawn) Seamands, Joseph Seamands, and Stephanie (Bill) Sterrett; Daniel (Bethanne) Mostad and Joel (Jenny) Mostad; and her brother Joseph Davis of Asheville, North Carolina.

Visitation will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, January 9, in Clark Chapel at the Wilmore United Methodist Church. A service will follow at 11 a.m. officiated by Rev. Keith Mosted and Dr. Stephen Seamands. Her graveside service at the Wilmore Cemetery will be officiated by the Rev. Mike Snyder of the Nicholasville United Methodist Church.

Arrangements are under the careful direction of Hager and Cundiff Funeral Home in Nicholasville. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Mission Society, PO Box 922637, Norcross, GA 30010-2637, www.themissionsociety.org.

Funeral Information

10 AM until service time at 11 AM on Wed. Jan. 9

11 AM Jan. 9, Clark Chapel, Wilmore United Methodist Church

Wilmore Cemetery