Helene Flood

Helene Catherine Soden Flood, the daughter of the late Thomas Melvin Soden and Irene Augusta Sherrod Soden, was born July 2, 1917 in Baltimore, Maryland, in the Druid Hill Avenue Community. She was also born a twin to the late Belmont Soden. She was called to glorious eternal life on January 23, 2005.Helene was educated in the Baltimore city Public Schools and was a graduate of Douglas High School. Helene was baptized at the Union Baptist Church on Druid Hill Avenue at the very early age of eight. She was active in the drama circle and performed in many plays under the direction of a long-time member, the late Gladys Milburn. In her adult years, she joined the Gertrude Neal Circle and continued her membership until her death.Helene had many jobs, but her most memorable and enjoyable one was working at Glen L. Martin Airplane Plant. She was hired during World War II when many women were hired as a riveter to construct the wings of fighter jets. She was proud of that job and spoke of it often.A few years later, she met Rufus Flood of Ahoskie, North Carolina and was married on September 13, 1940. Out of that blessed union, four loving children were born: Pauline Lucille, Sidney Rufus, Joyce Helene, and Courtnaye Vickie.Throughout her lifetime, Helene acquired several talents. She became a self-made seamstress, which she inherited from her mother, better known as Mama Soden. She sewed beautifully, and her creativity was displayed in the clothes she made for herself, children, school teachers, and friends. During her senior years, she found pleasure in attending ceramic classes. She created eccentric ornaments, and often gave them as special gifts to family members.Helene loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was always ready to visit with them during summer vacations, or when they just wanted to spend that special time with their grandparents. When a few of her grandchildren attended the Alexander Hamilton Elementary School, she would volunteer her services by supervising the children and sharing a book at story time. She received honorary mentions and certificates for her dedication.Helene loved to travel with her sister, Lucille (now deceased). They traveled the East Coast from top to bottom and she proudly collected a banner from each state.During her marriage, Helene continued to be strong in her faith. She loved attending her church and serving the Lord. When her children were of age, she brought them into the church and had each on of them baptized. In her later years as her health became a problem, she was unable to attend church as often, but she continued to listen and watch her church services by radio or TV.Helene was very soft-spoken and a private person. She was extremely family-oriented and the times her daughters and son spent with her were times she cherished. When her husband retired, she spent her golden years with him traveling, and spending quality time together. Helene loved life and enjoyed reading, movies, special TV shows, family outings and listening to classic music by Nat King Cole. Helene was an extraordinary woman. To know her was to love her. She was a people person who loved a good conversation. She had a warm smile and beautiful laughing brown eyes that lit up her face. Helene was a great confident and always ready to listen. Helen’s quiet manner and loving nature will surely be missed.She leaves to cherish her memory, her loving husband of 64 years, Rufus Flood; four children, Pauline Flood Turner, Sidney Flood, Joyce Flood Frazier, and Courtnaye Flood Handy; two sons-in-law, Frederick Turner, Louis B. Frazier, the late Norman W. Handy; one daughter-in-law, Monika Flood; five grandchildren, Nicole Handy, Lori Turner, Louis B. Frazier II, Michele Frazier, and Christian Handy; two great-grandchildren: Zachery Wilkins, and Mariah Frazier; one " sister"/niece, Arnelia Soden Brooks; two sisters-in-law, Margaret Soden-Allen and Margaretta Soden; a devoted family friend, Lela Diggs; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends

Tributes

Helene Flood

July 4, 1917 - January 23, 2005