Helen Germaine Wooten

Helen Germaine Wooten, born Sept. 11, 1928 in Danville, VA, passed away on Dec. 28, 2017 at her home in Barhamsville.

Known to family and friends as “Grandma”, she was loved by everyone who knew her. She always had something funny to say or a song to sing. No matter what you said to her, she had a little ditty for you. We know she is now in heaven making those loved ones who have gone before her laugh.

Germaine helped her husband, Norris, build his tugboat business from the ground up. She drove a school bus for a number of years for the Newport News school system while taking care of the family. Taking care of babies was her greatest joy in her life.

In 2010, her granddaughter, April, came to live with her and the two of them were active with The Lively Ladies of Tabernacle United Methodist Church in Barhamsville. They travelled around the country visiting family and had numerous adventures together. Grandma loved to have her hair done and granddaughter, Tammy, made sure that she had her hair styled every week. She enjoyed playing Scrabble with her children, taking the grandkids to Buckroe Beach, and bowling in her younger years. More recently, Grandma helped to take care of her five youngest great-grandchildren, which brought her much happiness.

Grandma enjoyed so many things in life. She watched Andy Griffith, listened to music on her player piano, flirted with handsome young men, ate cookies, and spent time with babies, which was on the top of the list.

Germaine was preceded in death by her parents, James and Agnes Jones; brother, Tommy Jones; beloved husband of 53 years, Norris Wooten; and daughter, Kathy Mewborn.

To cherish her memory, she leaves daughters Doris Lewis of Urbanna, and Nancy Moore (Mike) of Yorktown; sons, James Wooten (Caroline) and Timmy Wooten (Missy), both of Barhamsville, and Tommy Wooten (Cindy) of Hampton; beloved sister and dear brother-in-law Carolyn and Terry Futrell of Grafton; sister-in-law Jean Jones of Connecticut; along with 12 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

The family received friends on Thursday, Jan. 4, 5-7 p.m. at Vincent Funeral Homes, 417 11th Street, West Point, VA. A funeral service will be held on Friday, Jan. 5, 10:30 a.m. at Tabernacle United Methodist Church, 20051 Tabernacle Road, Barhamsville, VA (23011), and burial will be at 3 p.m. the same day at Peninsula Memorial Park, 12750 Warwick Boulevard, Newport News, VA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be give to Tabernacle United Methodist Church Building Fund at the aforementioned address. Tributes may be posted at www.vincentfh.com.