Helen Ann Chappelle Anderson Obituary

Helen Ann Chappelle Simms Anderson was born January 10, 1939 to the late Deacon Clarence T. Chappelle and Gladys Bowles Chappelle. After a full life and many happy years, she transitioned peacefully from labor to reward on November 7, 2025. Helen grew up in the Noel community of Hanover County. She came of age during the Civil Rights era, and was educated at schools for Black children in the county, including Hanover Training School in Ashland. She was popular and had many childhood friends.  She gave her life to Christ and joined Mt. Carmel Baptist Church at an early age, under the pastorate of Rev. P.H. West. She was active in the church all her life, singing soprano in the Women’s and Sanctuary Choirs, participating in the Missionary Ministry and holding leadership roles in the Usher’s Ministry. Helen sustained Mt. Carmel’s involvement in the local Usher’s Union and helped organize annual programs and trainings.

After the passing of her first husband Oscar Simms, Helen worked several jobs to support her six children. She then married the late James R. “Jim” Anderson, Jr.; they blended their families, enjoyed over 40 years of marriage and traveled the country together during their retirement.  Helen was an avid baseball fan, going all the way back to the local Noel Mets, and she was a faithful fan of the Washington Nationals. She enjoyed playing cards with friends and family, and tending the garden with her husband Jim. She liked cooking and her favorite foods were roast chicken and grilled hamburgers. She was a kind, gentle person with a sensitive and caring heart; she possessed a quiet strength and she will
be deeply missed.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Ella C. Johnson, her son Alphonso Lee Simms, her grandsons Curt Simms, Jr. and Harry Robinson, Jr., and her loving husband, James “Jim” Anderson.

She leaves to mourn her absence and celebrate her new life in heaven: her children, daughter and caregiver Mary O. Carter (Brent) -devoted, Constance Simms Winston, Cheryl Simms Robinson, Curt Simms Sr. (Connie), Bessie Bartee (Richard), sons Rodney Anderson (Valerie) -devoted, and Lance Marcel Saxon; grandchildren Crystal Simms Redmond, Harlow Tammy Snyder (John), Kenneth Simms, Alicia Carter, Joselyn Beyer (Christopher), Dhevyn J. Anderson and Trajan X. Anderson; 11 great grandchildren including Jayquandray Simms -devoted, nieces Anne Foster, Carolyn Johnson, Brenda Gatling, Theresa Ancarrow (Billy) -devoted; nephews Rev. Dr. Walter Pleasants (Joyce), David Johnson, Jr. (Abbey -devoted); sister-in-law Veronica Eberhardt (Henry), cousin Yvonne Chappelle, and a host of loving great nieces, great nephews, other relatives, church family and friends.

“When my feeble life is o’er, time for me won’t be no more. Guide me gently, safely
o’er to Thy kingdom, dear Lord, to Thy shore.” — Traditional hymn