Helen Fayson Hillhouse

Helen Fayson Simmons Hillhouse was born January 15, 1924, in Winston-Salem, to Clarence Cecil Simmons and Bess Avarilla Bullington.  She had one older brother, Cecil William Simmons, who died at the age of 21 as a pilot in World War II.  Helen was able to visit her brother’s grave in the 1990s with her daughter, Sara.  Helen grew up in Winston-Salem and attended R.J. Reynolds High School and graduated in 1940, at the young age of 16 years old after having skipped two grades.  Helen became an accomplished pianist and organist at an early age.  She played the organ for the Baptist Church in Winston-Salem and hoped to become a music teacher one day.  She attended briefly the music school at Salem College.  However, with the onset of World War II, Helen transferred to a secretarial school and after a short training program found herself working in Washington, D.C., where secretarial work for women was in high demand.  She was rapidly promoted, thanks to her Southern charm, efficiency, and organization.  She worked for the O.P.A. (Office of Price Administration) and later as personal assistant to the President of the N.F.B.A. (National Food Broker’s Association).  She supported her mother, known to everyone as Ma Bess, who continued to live with Helen nearly all her life.  During this time, she met Andrew Fitch Hillhouse, Jr.  They were married in 1952 in Washington, D.C., at the Chevy Chase Baptist Church.  Two years later, their oldest, Susan Gordon, was born.  Andy then got a job in Des Moines, IA, working for Solar Turbines International, and a few years later another transfer in 1958 to San Diego, CA, where they would raise their family.  Helen had to give up her job in Washington, D.C., to follow her husband’s career moves.  She adapted to her new life as wife and mother.  Then three years after arriving in San Diego, their second daughter, Sara Bradford was born.  Helen did volunteer work, such as with the San Diego Rescue Mission, was active in church, and enjoyed playing bridge.  Her daughter, Susan, married Guy Beach in 1979, and her first grandson, Brandon, was born in 1981.  Sara graduated from U.C. Berkeley in 1984 with a degree in economics.  Having studied French extensively, she decided to take a year and travel in Europe.  While on this trip, she met her future husband, Francois Sallembien.  To this marriage was born Helen’s other grandchildren:  William in 1989, Henry in 1991, Joseph in 1994, James in 1997, and then Eliza in 2002.  As a devoted grandmother, Helen went to France for every birth and for many other visits in between.  When asked by friends if she had ever traveled to France, Helen would say that she stopped counting at 25 trips.  In 1989, Guy and Susan moved to Murrieta, CA.  In 2005, at the age of 81, Helen also moved to Murrieta to be closer to them.  Tragedy struck the family in 2008 when Helen’s grandson, Brandon, passed away in an accident.  Helen continued to enjoy playing the piano and organ throughout her life.  In her later years, she would play the organ at RockRidge Church during their ministry for special needs adults called Climbing Higher, and regularly for residents in her board and care.  Helen went to be with the Lord on Thursday, February 20, 2020, after a fall, where she broke her two legs, and later developed pneumonia.  She is survived by her two daughters, Susan Beach and Sara Sallembien; her sons-in-law, Guy Beach and Francois Sallembien; and her grandchildren, William, Henry, Joseph, James, and Eliza.  Helen was an inspiration to those around with her steadfast faith and optimism regardless of the situation.  The funeral service will be held Saturday, February 29, 2020, at 2:00 PM at Moody Funeral Home Chapel in Mount Airy, with the Rev. Dr. Neil Routh officiating.  She will be buried next to her mother, Bess Bullington Simmons, in the Lewis plot at Oakdale Cemetery.  The family will receive friends Saturday from 1:00 until 2:00 PM at the funeral home.  A memorial service will also be held at RockRidge Church in Winchester, CA, where she was a member in her later years.