Helen Kenyon Coon Waite in the Robe of Achievement, 1984

Helen was perhaps best known within the denomination for her service to the Missionary Society, she was primarily the secretary to the Executive beginning in 1929 and continuing for the next 40 years with periodic breaks for child rearing. She served as the secretary to Rev William L. Burdick, Rev David Clarke, Rev Everett T. Harris, and Rev Leon R. Lawton. She had a total ability to manage the office during conference and other times when the executives were away for extended periods of time. She officially retired in 1976 but continued to be an active member and valued contributor to the Missionary Society after retirement.

She was a committed member of the First Seventh Day Baptist Church of Hopkinton RI and served many roles there including Sabbath School teacher, Deaconess, various offices with the Ladies Aid Society, along with many other direct and associated functions. She was always looked on others with care and concern and never failed to find a person in need and a way to help them. She had an unfailing and consistent love of Almighty God, Church, and friends. She was the church organist for over 50 years beginning in 1924 and only in 1983 was force to quit due to arthritis and other health concerns.

Helen was a devoted member of her family and took care of all of them even in the midst of tragedy. Her first husband was the victim of a motorcycle crash leaving her with an infant and toddler to raise on her own. She remarried and shortly thereafter came also to care for her new husband’s mother. Later she also cared for her own father after her mother died. She loved and cared a great deal for her ever expanding earthly family as well as her heavenly family.