Helen Marksberry Ficke, age 104, of Chilhowee, MO sadly passed away on Tuesday, March 21, 2023.

Helen was born on May 28, 1918, one of six children born to Orlena and Samuel Pemberton in Chilhowee. With the exception of a few years during WWII, when she lived in Kansas City, MO and worked for Sears, she resided in Chilhowee her entire life.

On August 22, 1947, she married Gene Marksberry and they lived in Chilhowee until his sudden death in 1974. She was later married to Charles Ficke from April 9, 1981 until his passing in 1990.

Helen loved her life in a small town where she focused on her family, her church, and her friends. She was a wonderful cook and homemaker, specializing in delicious chocolate pies and homemade sweet pickles. She maintained an immaculate yard, making use of her push mower until her late 80s.

Helen was a nice, tough, kind, caring person who set an outstanding example to others for how to live and contribute. She was a loyal friend who was blessed with lasting relationships. She attended all local school and church events well into her 90s and was well known and respected throughout the area for being a classy, caring member of the community.

Helen is survived by her son Dale Marksberry and his wife June, as well as her sister Sammy Pemberton. She also leaves behind three grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at the Chilhowee Baptist Church on Saturday, March 25, 2023. The visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., the service at 11:00 a.m., and burial will follow at Chilhowee Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to be made to the Chilhowee Cemetery.