Helen Wheeler Farrar of Silver Spring, Md., died Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015, at home.

She was born Jan. 18, 1918 in Oakdale, Tenn., to Edna Nance and Enos Wheeler. She grew up in Oakdale where she attended public school along with her two sisters and seven brothers. In 1935, she met her future husband, Walter Edwin Farrar of Keysville, Va., who preceded her in death. They were married on Oct. 1, 1936 and moved to Virginia in 1938.

Shortly after their arrival in Virginia, Dr. Farrar pastored a number of churches in rural Virginia prior to his pastorate in Newport News at Ivy Memorial Baptist Church, now located in Hampton, Va.

Helen actively participated in the congregational life of the church, holding various leadership roles in the Sunday School and Women’s Missionary Society. For a number of years in Clifton Forge, Va., she taught the Men’s Bible Class with a membership of 85. While living in Clifton Forge, Helen was active in Garden Club and Women’s Club. She continued her involvement at the Ox Hill Baptist Church in Chantilly, Va.  

After Dr. Farrar’s retirement in 1981, they returned to Gloucester County, Virginia. Dr. Farrar served as Interim Pastor at Providence Baptist Church, where he was honored with Pastor Emeritus. He also served interim pastorates at Yorktown Baptist Church and Buckroe Baptist Church. During all of these years, Helen was at his side in the day to day duties.

Helen and Dr. Farrar moved to Washington, D.C., to live with their son Ted in 1989. They joined the First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C., where Helen served as President of the Couples’ Sunday School Class. She was honored with the prestigious Hospitality Award by the congregation.

At the time of death, Helen was a member of the National Presbyterian Church where she was an active member of the Business and Professional Women’s Guild. 

Helen is survived by her sons, Ted with whom she made her home in Silver Spring, and Ron and his wife Shirlee of Myrtle Beach, S.C. She is also survived by her granddaughter, Helen Rebecca Weeks and her husband Nathan of Raleigh, N.C. They are the parents of Helen’s great-grandsons of whom she was so proud: Harrison, a junior at Appalachian State University, and Samuel, a sophomore in high school.

A memorial service celebrating the life of Helen will be held at Providence Baptist Church in Gloucester on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, at 11 a.m.

If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Providence Baptist Church Cemetery Fund.