Helen Laverne McKissick

Helen Lavern Dudley McKissick, 74, of McKeesport, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, April 2, 2020, at home surrounded by her children and loving family members.

Born February 12, 1946, in McKeesport, she was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Walton and Hilda Christian Dudley.  Helen attended McKeesport Area School District and was a graduate in 1965.

She was preceded in death by her late husband of 38 years Art McKissick, parents Walton and Hilda Dudley and step-son Vincent Simmons.  She leaves to cherish her memory; sons, Edward McKissick of McKeesport, Jaron McKissick of Mars, and Christopher Jefferson of McKeesport; daughters Hilda and Cheryl McKissick of McKeesport; October (Ron) Williams of Pittsburgh, Shaytell McKissick of Duquesne and step-daughter Tamala Simmons of McKeesport; brother Edward (Iris) Dudley, Sr. of McKeesport, sisters Marlene Poindexter of McKeesport, Kay Dudley of West Mifflin, and sister-in-law Zetna McKissick of Buffalo, NY, special friend of 9 years, Ronald Battle of McKeesport; 17 grandchildren; 4 God-children; loving niece, Jerry Gordon, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

As a young girl Helen gave her life to Christ, but, being one that didn’t like submersion of water or swim, she was reluctant to be baptized.  However, she was elated that she decided to be baptized in October 2018 at Bethlehem Temple Church of Duquesne, and was a joyous member of Payne Chapel AME Church of Duquesne, where she served on the Steward board.  She worked for US Steel Christi Park, Westinghouse and Kiddie Haven Day Care for a season and then because of her love for children she pursued and became a State Registered Day Care Provider which lead her to open her own business - "Helen's Day Care' of McKeesport, until she retired in February 2015.

Helen was an avid bowler and loved to play cards in which she was a fierce competitor in such games as "pinochle, bid whist, and spades".  She enjoyed traveling around the country, shopping, going to the movies, watching the Lifetime Channel, eating out with family and friends but mostly having fish fries and entertaining family and friends at her home.

A homegoing celebration of life memorial service will be at a later date.

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