Helen Fox Mays

Helen Gabbard Fox Mays, 90, of Connersville, died Wednesday evening, December 26, 2012, at her home. Helen was born July 10, 1922, in Foxtown, Kentucky to Frank W. and Catherine F. Maupin Gabbard and had lived in Fayette County since WWII ended in 1945. She and her husband, Wade Fox were Foster Parents to more than 130 children for nearly 30 years while living in a country home on the Fayette/Union County Line Road from 1947 through 1985. The Indianapolis Star ran a feature story about Helen and Wade with a home visit in July of 1974. She moved to Connersville after her husband’s death on June 8, 1985. She later married Roma W. Mays who died January 3, 1997. Helen was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and the Baptist Temple. Helen is survived by four sons: Dallas Fox of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; Duard Fox of Lewisburg, Ohio; Gene Fox of Fountaintown; Michael Fox of Greenfield; a daughter: Julie Fox of Connersville; sister: Rheba Gabbard McFarland of Connersville; fourteen grandchildren; thirty-five great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; numerous foster children, including, Lynette Covington of Richmond, George Taylor and James Taylor, both of Connersville, Jack Dare of Sarasota, Florida; several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husbands, Helen is preceded in death by her daughter: Loretta Fox Scott; her granddaughter: Melody Marie Fox; five sisters and five brothers. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Monday at Showalter Blackwell Long Funeral Home, Myers Chapel, Connersville. Interment will follow in Dale Cemetery. Friends may visit at the funeral home Monday from 12 to 1 p.m. where memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. For additional information and to send condolences or memories, go to www.ShowalterBlackwellLong.com.