Helon Mae Callihan was born on June 9,1931 to Lockard and Sadie Clunan Callihan in Yazoo County, MS. She resided in Yazoo County for all of her 94 years. Her adult years were spent in the Dover community near Bentonia.
In 1949 Helon married John Ed Manor. She was known to be creative from her high school years and found great personal satisfaction in her love of arts and crafts throughout her life. Helon was a fine seamstress even in her younger years. She sewed many of the children’s school clothes and later sewed for others in the community.
She came into her own when she discovered her love for painting and became known for that throughout the community and beyond. Many of her paintings have adorned walls in homes of friends and strangers alike for decades. Helon especially enjoyed teaching painting classes in her home studio and formed lasting memories and friendships through that experience.
A talent and love for crocheting accompanied her passion for painting. Even into her very recent years when she could no longer paint, she found purpose and enjoyment in making crochet items for her 9 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren, all who called her Grandy.
After the death of her beloved John Ed, Helon was blessed with 14 years of marriage to Paul Johnson and enjoyed her relationship with his children, Paul Jr (PJ), Barbara, Keith, and Sheila. With Paul, Helon discovered a new love for gospel music. After Paul’s death, and until her own death, it was expected that any visit with Helon would have The Bill Gaither Vocal Band or the Booth Brothers playing in the background or on a DVD on her tv.
Helon continued to pursue her passions for painting and crocheting for as long as her abilities would allow, never giving up on her wish for a studio to teach in and a store setting to sell from. After moving into the Love House at Martha Coker Green Houses, Helon became known to the staff and visitors alike as the puzzle lady, having found a wonderful outlet for her creative drive.
Late on the morning of October 7, 2025, Helon left her body on this earth and was carried into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to be reunited with loved ones who had gone before and whom she missed immensely.
Helon Manor is survived by her brother Tommy Callihan (Judy), and her four children, Wanda (Wayne), Johnny (Belinda), Dennis (Sharon) and Melanie (Mike). Also remaining to carry her legacy are 9 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Larry, and her sister, Nancy.
The family would like to thank the staff of The Martha Coker Green Houses and particularly of the Love House for their tender and loving care over these past few years. Nurses from Adoration Hospice have been tremendous in their care for Helon and the rest of the family as well. We want to extend a warm thank you to her friend, and painting student, Brenda Martin for her faithful and loving visits and for being there with us by her side in her final hours here. We want to thank Mama’s life-long, literally, friend Ann Wert, her Annie, who she loved so much and was there through thick and thin. There are too many others to name, but your love and care for Miss Helon is so greatly appreciated.
The funeral will be held on Thursday, October 9 at Stricklin-King Funeral Home, 718 Calhoun Avenue, Yazoo City, MS. Visitation begins at 1:00 p.m. and the service will be held at 2:00 with burial to immediately follow at Dover Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions to Mission Dignity PO Box 819109 Dallas, TX 75381-9957 would be appreciated and well used.
