Memorial to Sister Helen Tripplettby Rev. Raymond Parnell

“I was saddened upon learning that Sis. Helen Triplett had departed this life. We have mixed emotions because we know she was a child of God and her death was in reality a graduation to a better place, yet she will be missed greatly. For 39 years I have been her pastor, but today she is in the care of the chief shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ.

I am sure Pastor Carson will do this service well, but if I were present I would encourage all of you to remember the good times you had with Sister Helen. For, in reality, all we now have are memories. Let me share some of my fondest ones with you. I remember that she was full of energy; she played the piano with enthusiasm, vigor, and most importantly, as worship to her Lord. She has remained the number one (#1) pianist and just because she became ill and could not always be present, I continued to reward her faithfulness. She was never replaced.

Sister Helen knew what it was to struggle since she was present when the present church began in 1944. Her first pastor, Reverend A.R. Reed, asked each member to contribute one dollar weekly to the church. So even though we grew in numbers and finance, she still continued to shut off the lights when it was obvious that they were not needed. You will notice that I do the same thing having Sister Helen as my good example. Sister Helen was more than a mother to the church; she was a mother to me.

During the last months, I would go to her residence to visit, pray, and play my new instrument, the fiddle. She was so kind to listen to her pastor try to play; she would comment “you missed two notes” or “you got that wrong.” Believe me, I will long to go back to the Foxwood residence and hear her tell me again that I missed a note.

Sister Helen always liked to see that I was taken care of. When we would have a church dinner, she would hover over and wait on me, filling my plate or saving some special food back for me. She was also good at grabbing that plate as soon as I took the last bite and whisked it to be washed. She was a hard worker--so willing to always do her share and more.

Likewise, she would certainly speak her mind; not too long ago she told me, “Brother Parnell, that is a nice blue shirt but I would prefer that you wear a white shirt in the pulpit. She would also give good advice to the young people, telling about her experiences and sharing what God could do.

She loved the Word of God. She would say amen to my sermons because she wanted me to preach it strong and straight. She would write down references as I preached and many times on a later date I would ask her what I had preached on a certain date or subject. She would look it up and tell me. Many times she would say to me, “Brother Parnell, I’ve got to make it.”

She was only 42 years old when I came to Lafayette—no gray hair for either of us. I saw the changes brought by time and illness. One thing never changed and that was her dedication and love for God. I can still see her in my mind standing by the piano giving her testimony about being baptized in Jesus’ name and receiving the Holy Ghost, adding that she wanted her loved ones to be saved. She desperately wanted to see them all ready for the rapture.

Sister Helen deeply respected the ministry. Because I taught that the members should call me if they were not able to attend service, she would still call me and in a frail, cracked voice say, “Brother Parnell, I won’t be able to make it tonight (even thought we would not have expected her to). I am going to miss that call. Sister Helen was a member in good standing, this is her church, and I believe with all my heart she was in good standing with her Lord.

Time fails me to recall the 39 years of wonderful fellowship and friendship I enjoyed with Sister Helen Triplett. It is not necessary for me to say this, but family, friends, and church members she is finally at rest. She has finished her race and has joined a wonderful group of saints including her beloved mother, Sister Ledford. If you want to see her again, you can. Just obey the word of God. It is simple: repent, be baptized in Jesus’ name, be filled with the Holy Ghost, and continue steadfastly in the Apostles’ doctrine and fellowship.

I am sorry I cannot be present to give these remarks, but may I say that Sunday night I preached to 600 people in Santiago, Chile. There was a tremendous move of the Spirit, with people receiving the Holy Ghost. I think Sister Helen would have enjoyed shouting with those saints of Chile!

May God bless you, Ginny, Glenn, Grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, sisters and brothers, and her host of friends. This was a very special lady, and I loved her very much.

Rev. Raymond E. Parnell"

In Memory

By Sister Eva Reed

“Because of time and distance, I am not able to attend the funeral of my dear friend, Sister Helen Triplett. For 60 years we have shared experiences in life. We met in Birmingham, Alabama where Sister Helen was a member of the church pastured by my husband. It was there that we began our friendship of six decades.

Later, we moved to Lafayette, Indiana to begin what is now Christ Memorial Temple. Sister Helen and several of her family followed. For many years she rented an apartment in our house and took many vacations with us. Over the years we have worshipped together in countless church services.

Her passing will no doubt be glory to her, but I (and all of the saints) will feel her loss from among us in many ways. Sister Helen was a kind and giving person—always wishing to help her family and the saints of this church, always preferring others above her. She will be absent from our fellowship, but will forever be in our hearts and thoughts.

With grateful memories,
Sister Eva Reed”