Helen Woodside DuBose
Helen Woodside DuBose died peacefully at her home on January 6, 2023, surrounded by her family. She was born on May 16, 1948, in Durham, N.C., to the late Milton and Nan Woodside. She graduated from Vardell Hall and then attended the University of South Carolina. She was an active member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and held many positions.
On January 6, 1977, exactly 46 years before the day of her death, Helen was quoted in The Sampson Independent, “My children and my husband are the most important things in my life at this time. The rearing of my children, giving them the basics and the foundation they need, is very important to me. I believe that there’s good in everybody, and you should always look for the good. No one’s any better than anyone else. And I believe that whatever you do, you should do it to the best of your ability…That’s what I want my children to learn.”
Willpower and love of life were stronger than her physical ailments. No matter the circumstances, Helen never failed to have a smile on her face and display her optimism. And not to mention, she was always found reapplying one of three of her bright pink lipsticks. Helen always reminded the family to take each day as a gift and a blessing. She was larger than life and loved by her family. Helen frequently commented that her passion was her family’s health, well-being, and happiness. In turn, they learned from her to fill their lives with travel, entertaining and happy energy. She also had an eye for making a house a home, a gift she passed along to her children. If it meant she had to travel 30 minutes or four hours to see her grandkids play in only one minute of a sporting event, Helen was always the first to step up to be a cheerleader. Her grandchildren have lost their greatest admirer but will always carry her beautiful spirit and love in their hearts.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and her sister, Anna Woodside Morisey. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Charles Holden DuBose, Jr. Her daughter, Natalie DuBose Langley, and husband, Stewart of Lynchburg, Virginia. Her son, Charles Holden DuBose III, and wife, Mandy of Clinton, North Carolina. Her brothers, Milton Woodside of Brunswick, Georgia, Joey Woodside of Knoxville, Tennessee, and her sister, Jeanne Honeycutt of Barnstable, Massachusetts. Her sisters-in-law, Deborah DuBose Cone, Ellen Woodside, and Sidney Woodside; and her beloved grandchildren, Cannon and Elle Langley and Jack and Emma DuBose, who affectionately called her “MiMi.”
A memorial service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Clinton, North Carolina. Following the memorial service, the family will receive friends at Coharie Country Club. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
In the spirit of Helen, send someone a cheery card for no reason. Call a family member or a friend and tell them you love them. And never end the phone call with goodbye, but say, see you later. This is what Helen did and would encourage others to do.
