Helen Middleton DuBois Sears

Helen Middleton DuBois Sears, 91, of Owensboro, died on Saturday, September 30, 2017 in the Hospice Unit at St. Joseph Healthcare in Lexington, KY. She was born August 1, 1926 in Spartanburg, South Carolina to the late Wilbur Chapman and Bertha Annie DuBois.

Mrs. Sears earned her bachelor's degree in journalism at the University of Texas in Austin, TX after having attended Stephens College in Columbia, MO. She was a passionate, dedicated and lifelong educator, having spent most of her teaching years with Daviess County Junior High (and later, Middle School). During her teaching years, and for decades beyond, Mrs. Sears tutored a countless number of students in higher math, most all of whom remain devoted to her – having stayed in touch with her to keep her updated on their careers and families. Mrs. Sears continued to tutor math to her students even after she suffered a stroke in 2013. After moving to Lexington to be closer to more family members, she taught math skills to many nursing assistants who cared for her, while they worked to achieve an RN degree.

Mrs. Sears has been a committed member of First Presbyterian Church of Owensboro for almost sixty years. She served as an elder for many years, and was a theological mentor to countless church members. She was actively involved with various Presbyterian Women's groups, locally, regionally, and nationally. She volunteered with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Owensboro, and she was instrumental in the formation of Girls, Inc. of Owensboro-Daviess County. Mrs. Sears was the 4th recipient of the Athena Award, an award presented annually to an individual in the community who has achieved excellence in service to the community in meaningful ways, and specifically, has assisted young women in developing their leadership potential. Mrs. Sears spent years working quietly and tirelessly to raise community corporate funds and to coordinate procurement of federal grants in support of the Helen D. Sears Family Development Center, named after her to honor those efforts. She was a decades-long member of the Board of Directors of Audubon Area Community Services, working with Ron Logsdon and others to strengthen and expand AACS's service reach to areas of human need across Kentucky. Mrs. Sears was the founder and driving force behind "Grandma's Corner," a drop-in child crisis center that offered a safe environment for children who were at-risk, or whose parents needed child care assistance for specific occasions, such as doctor's appointments. She was an early and adamant civil rights activist who marched with MLK, Jr. in Washington, DC and Frankfort, KY, and remained focused on the achievement of peace and justice, on both small and large scales. Her lifetime of community service and fierce advocacy on behalf of children and others who either are vulnerable or disadvantaged has changed the lives of generations of individuals, and will be well-remembered.
Mrs. Sears was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Alton D. "Ziggy" Sears, in 2003; by brothers, Wilbur C. DuBois, III and Dr. Henry Ellsworth DuBois; and by her sister, Elizabeth Ann DuBois Lincoln.
She is survived by three children, Dr. John C. Sears of Richmond, VA, Richard A. Sears of Owensboro, Susan C. Sears (Bill Rambicure) of Lexington, and Sammy James of Owensboro; nine grandchildren, Summer Sears (Kate), Abby Sears (Ryan Moldt), and Molly Galbraith (Casey Sasek), Courtney Winders (Kris), Eric Sears (Jeni Poell), Holly Sears (Stephen Arnold), Brady A. Sears, Stephen C. Sears, and Emily Sears-Eskelsen (Grant); eight great-grandchildren, Connor Moldt, Ella Sears, Tyler Winders, Eli Winders, Ada Joon Poell, Nalin Davis Poell, Amelia Arnold, and Elizabeth Arnold; as well as nephews and nieces who are dear to her.
A Memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, October 28, 2017 at the First Presbyterian Church in Owensboro. The family will hold a visitation reception at the church on Friday, October 27, 2017 from 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m., and for those who cannot attend on Friday evening, there will be a brief visitation period on Saturday at 1 PM.
Memorial contributions may be made to Girls, Inc.! (P.O. Box 1626, Owensboro, KY 42302) or the Helen D. Sears Family Development Center, 2225 East 18th Street, Owensboro, KY 42303.

Memories of Mrs. Sears may be shared at www.glennfuneralhome.com.