Mrs. Helen Fay Head Lewis beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great­ grandmother, passed away on January 10, 2024 from complications of vascular dementia. Helen Fay was the daughter of Charles Alva Head Jr. and Lenora Elizabeth Adams Head and was born in Jackson Mississippi on September 5, 1934. Helen Fay graduated Summa Cum Laude from Millsaps College in Jackson with a degree in English in 1955, and on June 10 of that year she married John T. Lewis III. The couple started their family on October 13, 1956, with the birth of their son, John Charles "Chuck" Lewis. The family moved to Nacogdoches, Texas in 1960, and on August 30, 1963, Helen Fay and John T. welcomed a daughter, Janis Kay Lewis.

Helen Fay was the epitome of a Southern Steal Magnolia. Her grace and charm made her a consummate hostess whether hosting dinners for bridge clubs, friends, or educational and political leaders. She served as hostess for Dr. Ralph Steen, President of Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches and was an incredible asset for John T.'s career as Vice President of Academic Affairs at SFA. While in Nacogdoches, Helen Fay earned her master's degree in British Literature continuing her lifelong passion for education.

In 1977, Helen Fay, John T. and Janis moved to Carrollton when John T. became Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty at then West Georgia College. In 1979, she started her long career of service to the community by filling Tracy Stallings' unexpired term on the Carrollton City School Board paving the way for many more female school board members. Helen Fay served on the school board from 1979 to 2001, and of those 22 years, she led the board as chairman seven times and served as a Georgia School Boards Association district director for a decade, as well as serving in the National School Board Association. In 1980 Helen Fay was presented the WLBB Outstanding Citizen Award, in 1986 the Georgia School Boards Association Award of Excellence, and in 1995 the Phi Delta Kappa Distinguished Service Award. In November of 2019 the Carrollton City School Board honored Helen Fay by dedicating a conference room in the Carrollton High School Media Center in her honor. In addition to her service on the school board, Helen Fay was a long-time member of the Carrollton Civic Woman's Club, the Carroll County Community Chorus, and more recently the Pilot Club of Carrollton.

Helen Fay loved shopping and that led to a passion for antiques. In 1994 Helen Fay and the late Jackie Talley opened the Antique House on Dixie Street. She and John T. traveled to England numerous times to bring English antiques to West Georgia. Helen Fay spent hours repairing and refinishing furniture for the shop. Her expertise in antiques, especially furniture, china, and pottery made the Antique House the go to place for quality goods and information until 2017.

Helen Fay was a founding member of two churches; Austin Heights Baptist Church in Nacogdoches Texas and Trinity Baptist Church here in Carrollton where she served as a deacon, loyal choir member, chairman of numerous committees and a Sunday School teacher for the senior adult women and residents of Brookdale Senior Adult Living. Her commitment and dedication to God were evident in all she did.

Helen Fay is preceded in death by her parents, sister Marilyn Head Ross; son Chuck Lewis; and her grandson Ben Stallings. Family left to remember and carry on her legacy are her husband of 68 years Dr. John T. Lewis III; daughter and son-in-law Janis and John Stallings; daughter-in-law Susan Lewis; grandchildren Patrick (Brianna) Lewis, Katie Stallings, and Daniel Stallings; great-grandchildren Peyton, Addison, and Samuel Lewis; brother and sister-in-law Buddy and Carol Head; brother-in-law Bill Ross; and numerous nieces and nephews in Mississippi.

According to her wishes, Helen Fay will be cremated, and a memorial service will be held at Trinity Baptist Church on Saturday January 20th at 11:00 am with Rev. Jay Sutton officiating. In lieu of flowers please consider contributing to the Ben Stallings Football Scholarship through the Carrollton City Schools Education Foundation, 106 Trojan Drive, Carrollton, GA 30117 or to Trinity Baptist Church, 501 Northside Drive Carrollton, GA 30117.

Messages of condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.almonfuneralhome.com

Almon Funeral Home of Carrollton has charge of arrangements.