Helen M. Randles

Randles, Helen M. – age 85 passed away on Wednesday, December 16, 2015. Preceded in death by her father, a former Knox County Clerk, O.N (Oley) Randles, Sr.; and mother, Vera Russell Randles, a former Knox County Educator, and Jack Strader, her husband. She is survived by her only sibling, O. Newell Randles, Jr. of Knoxville; one niece and husband, Leigh and Wayne Defreitas of Midlothian, Virginia; and her loving Beagle, Sam. Special thanks for care and concern of David and Becky Fritz, and families of Dennis Willis, Michael Barnette, Cheryl and Michael Swinson, and the staff of Westmoreland Health Center. Helen was born in the Thorn Grove Community in the section she loved to call “Tuckey Hoe” (Tucka Hoe) in East Knox County. She was a life member of the Thorn Grove Baptized Church having been Baptized in a muddy pond on midway road in 1942. She was a graduate of Carter High School in the 1948 class and further educated at the Draugon Business College and the University of Tennessee. Her first employment was in the University of Tennessee Food Financial Services. Later she was employed in the Financial Department of Brooks Equipment Company in South Knoxville. From there she was employed in Finance at the Beaty Chevrolet Company for several years and later as office Manager, and Chief Finance Officer of the Clift Crysler Plymonth Company. Helen followed her father’s political interest becoming a state Republican Committee Woman in the early seventies. In the late seventies and early eighties she, a strong Republican, and was elected and served two terms as Knox County Criminal Court Clerk. Her last years of work was as the owner and broker of the Century Twenty one Select Properties Franchise in west Knoxville. Helen had a very strong work ethic and firmly believed that everyone under her supervision would give a good days work for the pay they received regardless of the wages. Her employees would verify that she demanded a satisfactory performance if they continued in their job. Aside from working Helen was an avid lover of all canine breeds having been the owner of many throughout her life. Her last canine was her loyal Beagle, Sam, now residing with her brother whose life he controls with his love. Helen remained a strong Republican all of her life. She always supported the Republican Candidates in the local, State, and Federal Elections. Helen followed in her father’s footsteps which first struck his interest in politics at a young age with a fishing trip with Alf Landon many years ago when he was a Republican Presidential Contender. In her personal life, aside from politics and her work responsibilities her strongest belief in Religion guided her being. She maintained early morning devotional time up until her memory faded shortly before her time at the Westmoreland facility. “God is greater than any problem I have” is the message on a plaque that always hung on her kitchen wall. Her greatest love was always tied to her immediate family, with her passing leaves only two remaining in the blood line. May she find the long deserved rest with her Heavenly Father. At families request all services will be private. Arrangements by Rose Mortuary Broadway Chapel.

Tributes

Helen M. Randles

September 29, 1930 - December 16, 2015