REFLECTIONS OF LIFE

A TIME TO BE BORN...

Helen Tomysena Jackson (Sena) was born on January 5th, 1934 in Aiken County, SC.  She was the daughter of the Late Arthur Walker and the Late Ruth Garvin-Walker.  They were blessed to have six children.  Later in life, Ruth remarried to the Late Reverend Fair Benjamin and the family grew to 20 children.  Tomysena was the last surviving sibling.

A TIME TO LIVE - A TIME TO LOVE...

Helen received her education and graduated at A.L. Corbett high school in 1954, Wagener SC. As a young adult she relocated to Brooklyn, NY and soon after married the love of her life Anderson Jackson Sr., from Aiken, SC who preceded her in death. They were blessed with three children. Her youngest Anthony L. Jackson also preceded her in death.

Helen was a Smart young lady, always thirsting for knowledge and wanting to learn everything she could. When she first arrived in New York she took training classes at Lenox Electrical Co. in 1956-1959, then moved onto millinery training in the fashion district for hat making.

Helen transitioned her educational quest by attending the prestige medical school Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, NY in 1960 -1968 where she received her medical certification as an OB-GYN Technician and certified nurse's aide for the New York State Department of Health residential care facility. Helen's medical career led her to The New York City Health and Hospital Corporation in the maternal childcare - labor & delivery unit for 37 years. Her duties involved assisting in all labor & delivery room procedures, postpartum treatment, scrub/circular nurse. While there she received numerous certifications from United Hospital Fund of NY, Health Force certification for medical lifesaving procedure and certificate of excellent from Coney Island Hospital. Later on, she also took on another position caring for the elderly at Park Shore Manor in 1978 in Brooklyn, NY as a certified nurse's aide for 17 years. Receiving achievement awards and merit for providing excellent performance and dedication to the elderly at Park Shore.

While living in Bed-Sty Brooklyn the family were members of Mount Lebanon Baptist Church for several years. Several years later the lord blessed us with a home which moved us further away. Soon after she joined Zion Shiloh Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. John L. Pratt Sr. She was a faithful member of the Missionary Circle and Pastor aide ministry.

In 1995 Helen retired from the New York City job she loved and returned back home to her roots in South Carolina. She rejoined Piney Grove Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Frank Ratchford. Helen worked diligently in her church. Later under the leadership of Rev. Kenneth Waldo and Rev. Wayne Abney she continues her faithful path of serving the Lord. She was president of the women auxiliary, member of the senior choir, member of the Women's Auxiliary Choir of Beaver Creek, usher ministry, chairperson of the kitchen and Mother of the Church. Mom also supported her community by volunteering at the election pole, plan trips with senior group and quilting club.

Tomysena had a creative soul with an entrepreneur spirt. There wasn't anything she couldn't do once she put her hand on it.

Christmas was her special time. She always made home a magical place. While living in Bed-Sty she would take pictures of Christmas scene and recreate them by hand painting them on the windowpane, she would use tinsel and can snow to make a winter wonderland for us. There wasn't a corner in the house that wasn't touch by Xmas ornaments.

Mommy creative soul shined though in her ceramic artwork, custom bed quilts, hand knitted sweaters, those silk flower arrangement she made. She even had a side-hustle selling her seashell artwork at the International African Arts Festival in New York. Her love for gardening and house plants was her last joy that filled her heart.

A TIME TO DIE...

Helen Tomysena was called by her heavenly father home on Friday, August 30th, 2024, while she rested at home with her children and family. AND THAT TIME TO MOURN THE ONE WE LOVE...

We Thank You Lord for our mother who was that constant foundation of love and protection. She stood strong for 90+ years and she leaves to cherish her memory, her devoted daughter Josephine Jackson, son Anderson Jackson Jr. and her loving cousin Emma Jean Jones.

Helen brothers and sisters who all preceded her in death - Sylvester (Leroy) Walker, Julius (Babe/Chop) Walker, Lenwood (Lenny) Walker, Arthur (Doney) Walker and Steward Walker, Raymond Hankers, Jessie Graves, Andrine (Penny) Benjamin-Vanderpool, Cassie Langley, Paul Benjamin, Horace Benjamin, Rosetta Gantt, Amos Benjamin, Mack Benjamin, Jerry Benjamin, Annie Bell Phillips, Maggie Odoms, David Benjamin and Alice Benjamin; She leaves many loving Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and Awesome friends who LOVED HER DEARLY...

You are the world to me...