Re: Eleanor Riley Phillips, b. 16 Feb 1863, Nacogdoches Co. TX.; d. 7 Jul 1900, Shelby Co. TX.(the same day her daughter, Eleanor Louise, was born); d/o Elijah Clark Phillips and Lucy Pearline Broyles; md. (Rev.) John *Helpinstill, 2 May 1882, Nacogdoches Co. TX.
*Rev. John Helpinstill changed the original spelling of his surname, HELPENSTELL, to HELPINSTILL. Other family lineages retained the original spelling.
It is with sadness that we note the death of our sister, Eleanor R. Helpinstill, the devoted wife of our beloved John Helpinstill. There is no class of people deserving greater esteem, because none renders nobler service to the world, than the devoted, self-sacrificing wives of our faithful preachers. With more fortitude than other women, they bear the ordinary duties of domestic life and accept in addition thereto, unmurmuringly, the unnumbered responsibilities usually placed on them by a doting church. A thousand sacrifices they make year after year, the world nor the church knows of. When such are called hence, it is, indeed a time of great grief to the whole church. Of such character was the life and labors of Sister Helpinstill.
Eleanory Riley Helpinstill was born in Nacogdoches County, Texas, Feb. 15th, A.D. 1863. In 1878, she professed religion and joined the Methodist Church. May 2nd, 1880, she was married to Rev. John Helpinstill and faithfully shared the joys and sorrows incident to his ministerial life until July 7th, 1900, when she triumphantly passed into her eternal home.
"Where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest."
Of her conversion and life thereafter, one who from the intimacy of relationship has a right to speak, says, "Her conversion was not of the modern "hold-up-your-hand kind, but that kind that is marked by visibale manifestations of great peace after a long struggle akin to the struggle of death itself. I shall always feel thankful that it was my privilege to witness her conversion as well as her triumphant death." Her love for the church was such that she counted no appointment to which she followed her husband a "hard one." For sixteen years in the intenerant work she was the constant counsellor and help of her husband, for whom, doubtless, many a burden would have proven too heavy but for her kindly encouragement and self-denying aid. But she is gone. And our hearts, filled with grief at our loss and sympathy for our brother and his dear children in their sad bereavement, bow in humble submission to the will of our heavenly Father.
"They're gathering homward from every land, One by one, one by one, As weary their feet touch the shining strand. Yes, one by one. Their travelled-stained garments are all laid down, Their brows are enclosed in a golden crown, And clothed in white raiment they rest in the mead, Where Jesus doth love his saints to lead."
-East Texas Conference Committee.
Source: Minutes of the Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, published by Methodist Episcopal Publishing House, 1900
