Gerlene Ellen (Helsley) Lutz

Gerlene Ellen (Helsley) Lutz passed peacefully into eternity on Friday, December 18, at Winchester Medical Center from Covid-19, surrounded by her daughters. A service will be held on Monday, December 21, at 1:00 pm at the Valley Funeral Chapel in Edinburg, VA. A private burial will take place following the service at Sunset View Memorial Gardens and a celebration of her life will take place at Community Mission Church of the Brethren at a later date. Gerlene was the daughter of the late Lawrence and Vernie (Barton) Helsley. She is survived by three sons, Tim & Donna Lutz, Harvey Lutz, Herbie and Andrea Lutz; twin daughters, Teresa and Johnny Richard and Lisa and Dale Bowers; sister, Helen Reedy, brothers Lawrence (Junior) and Marie Helsley and Tommy Helsley; sister and brother-in-laws Polly Helsley, Winnie Helsley, Betty Offman, Harold and Roxie Lutz and Tootsie and Keith Cramer; special niece, Rachel Warner; grandchildren Brent Lutz, Katie Lutz, Allen Bowers, Mary Forbes, Jake Bowers, Sally Bowers, Joel Bowers, Emma Lutz, Sam Lutz, Shannon Martinez and Taylor Enke; and 7 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Howard (Hardy) Lutz who left this earth two years and two days ago, siblings Herbert Helsley, Charles Helsley, Ira Helsley, Herman Helsley, Virginia Day, Lucinda Mauck, Letha Dellinger and John Helsley. Gerlene was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, pastor’s wife, baker and friend to all who knew her. She had a humorous way of making people laugh and putting smiles on people’s faces. No doubt, she obtained her sense of humor by being the youngest of 12 siblings and the daughter of a poor but spiritually rich preacher. She started her love for baking at a very early age from her mother. Thousands would not be enough to count all of the pies and cakes she made over the years. Her only job outside the home was the 11 years she worked for Sheetz in Woodstock as coffee hostess. Here again her love for people showed in the many who she endeared herself to during this time. Gerlene loved her family fiercely and was proud of all of her children and grandchildren. She loved to cook and entertained frequently with her amazing meals and desserts. As much as she loved her family, her faith in God and Savior, Jesus Christ, was always first in her life. She was a dedicated servant of the Lord and her talents included teaching Sunday School, working with the Ladies Aid, serving on many different committees within the church and filling the pulpit at Community Mission and various churches in the community when called. “I am not preaching; I am just talking,” she would often say. She shared her faith with the love of her life, Hardy. Together they were an amazing team and the past two years without him was very hard and sorrowful for her. Her last day on earth was spent with great anticipation of her imminent reunion with him. Besides her family, faith, and baking, Gerlene leaves a legacy of her love of Christmas, holiday decorating, beautiful memories including “Momma Mondays” and 100’s of Pillsbury doughboy figurines. She will be fiercely missed by her family, church family and many friends. Instead of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Community Mission Ladies Aide C/O Sandra Kibler, 205 Sherman Rd, Woodstock VA 22664. Arrangements are in the care of Heishman Funeral Service, Inc. and Valley Funeral Service Branch, Bowman’s Crossing.

Gerlene Ellen (Helsley) Lutz

April 27, 1938 - December 18, 2020