Helen Joanne McVey, 89, of Roxana, Illinois, passed away peacefully Saturday

morning, August 15, 2020, in her home with family and her loving husband

Donald by her side.

Helen was born April 8, 1931, in Litchfield, IL, to the late Kenneth and Gladys

Nail. She attended Roxana High School and Shurtleff College in Alton, IL. Helen

married her high school sweetheart Donald McVey on November 25, 1951, who

called her "the prettiest girl in school."

Helen was employed as a secretary at the Brown Shoe Company in St. Louis,

Missouri, and secretary to the treasurer of the Olin Corporation in East Alton, IL.

Helen was an adoring wife and dedicated mother. She treasured her husband

and her children and embraced every moment with them. She especially

cherished her role as Grandma. She had a vivacious personality and wonderful

sense of humor. She loved singing and was a member of the Sweet Adelines

ladies barber shop quartet of Alton, IL. She also enjoyed quilting, playing the

piano, watching St. Louis Cardinals baseball, and was an active member of Faith

Baptist Church in Godfrey, Illinois.

Helen is survived by her husband Donald, her four children (and their spouses),

Kent & Laura McVey of Topsail Beach, NC, Lisa & Dale Johnson of Littleton, CO,

Mark & Darla McVey of Hanover Park, IL, and Dana McVey of Cornelius, NC, her

16 grandchildren: Brenda Martin, Chessie Martinez, Joanna Malm, Matthew

Johnson, Timothy Johnson, Laura Johnson, Mark Johnson, Nathan Johnson,

Bethany Johnson, Christina Johnson, Kyle McVey, Jason McVey, Emily Taylor,

Kate Plummer, Marissa McVey-Plummer, and her 13 great-grandchildren:

Timothy, Madyline, Breydon, Michael, Parker, Albert, Ginger, Charles, Eric, Zoe,

Hayley, Daniel, and David—all of whom she loved and touched deeply. Helen

was preceded in death by her parents.

A memorial service was held for family on Monday, August 17, 2020, at Bethany

Cemetery in Godfrey, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to

Mississippi Valley Christian School.