Helen Lee Stevenson Bodenhamer was born to the union of Jessie and Earnest Lee Stevenson, on July 20, 1926, in Birmingham AL. She was the second eldest of seven siblings. The family moved to Nashville, TN. In 1940 she confessed Christ and joined St. Paul A.M.E. Church where she accepted Christ. Helen graduated from Pearl Senior High School in Nashville, TN and attended Tennessee State College. In 1950, Helen met and married the love of her life, Benny Lee Bodenhamer. In 1951, Benny and Helen moved to Detroit, MI and started their family. They were blessed with two children, Carolyn Scott and Benny Bodenhamer, Jr. Helen loved theater arts including Opera. Tosca was her favorite play. Her hobbies were reading and working the crossword puzzles. Helen also enjoyed a good cup of coffee. Helen had an extraordinary singing talent. In 1998, the family moved to Lansing, Michigan where she joined Friendship Baptist Church. She had an outstanding career in retail at Macy's until her retirement after twenty-five years of service. Helen was an immaculate dresser. She wore her clothes well. After retirement she traveled to many foreign capitals including France, Italy, England, Switzerland and Canada. She stressed the value and importance of higher education to her children. After a brief illness, Helen departed this life on August 19, 2015, at Whitehills Health Care Center. She leaves to cherish her memory, her beloved husband, Benny, Sr.; loving daughter, Carolyn (Bill) of Sunnyvale, CA; devoted son, Benny, Jr.; grandsons, Xhosa, Richard, Farrell (Valaine); one great granddaughter, Sophia of Sunnyvale, CA; five sisters, Lela Dunn of Nashville, TN, Annie M. Pillow of Detroit, MI, Catherine Woodson (George) of Nashville, TN, Doris Roland (Vincent) of Hampton, VA, and Lillian R. Thomas (Ahmed) of Decatur, GA; brother-in-law, Arnette Bodenhamer of Nashville, TN; devoted niece and nephew Adriane and Von White of Farmington Hills, MI; and a host of nieces and nephews, relatives and friends. Mrs. Bodenhamer will lie in repose Wednesday, August 26, 12-7pm at the Riley Funeral Home, 426 West St. Joseph Street, Lansing, MI 48933. Funeral services will be held August 27, 11am at the Prince of Peace Baptist Church, 3125 West Miller Road, Lansing, MI 48911. The family will recieve visitors one hour before services begin. Memories and condolences can be shared at rileyfuneralhome.com.
