Helen Marie (Troublefield) Stevens

Helen Marie Troublefield was born on May 13, 1951 to the late Naomi and Neal Troublefield in Clayton, North Carolina. Helen was raised in Johnston County and educated at Richard B. Harrison High School in Selma, NC.

Helen married Everette Fredro “Fred” Stevens and God blessed their union with three beautiful children.  After working outside the home for a time, she decided her contribution to the family as a homemaker full-time was the most important.  She nurtured and helped to raise her own siblings, nieces/nephews, great nieces/nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and any child that needed the warmth and nurture that only she could give.  She also was caregiver to her mother and led a home of five living generations that was featured in the local newspaper.  Often the family mediator, she counseled, loved, listened (always had a listening ear), and shared her tremendous wisdom. 

She was the heart of the family, and her home was an open, safe refuge for everyone. You could always come to her to cry, laugh, talk or just enjoy some of her home cooking.  She loved cooking and was known for her fried chicken, collards, sweet potato pies, blueberry mountain, coconut, and sweet potato cakes.   She loved to entertain her family and there was not a pack of cards or card game that she didn’t like - including spades, tunk, solitaire, and gin rummy.  She often was the winner! She enjoyed music and dancing. She was an excellent self-taught seamstress, often making her own patterns and designs, including dresses and beautiful curtains.

In her later years, Helen was challenged by health concerns, but remained a fighter throughout - the soul of the family.  Bedridden for over the last six years, she remained a pillar of strength to the family.  You would often catch her watching westerns, Hallmark, and Lifetime movies when you went to visit.  She would always have family stories, memories, recipes, advice to share, and laughter to fill the room.

Helen was a faithful member of True Worship Christian Fellowship in Cary, NC.  Although she couldn’t physically be in worship, she worshipped online (even before online streaming was popular) and was a faithful giver to the ministry.  On that glad morning, January 6th, God called our precious Helen home; for the battle was over, she fought the good fight, and her race had been won.

She was preceded in death by her husband of almost 30 years, Fredro Stevens; her oldest son, Frederick Maurice “Tim”; five brothers: Linwood, Frank, Neal “June”, Horace “Tom”, Carlton; one sister, Belinda; and her mom and dad, Naomi and Neal Troublefield. 

She leaves to carry on her legacy:  her daughter, Constance Cox (Michael) of Goldsboro, NC and her son, Demeatrice Antoin Stevens of Goldsboro, NC who were both also her loving and faithful caretakers; four siblings: Maxine Rawlings of Cary, NC, James Cedric Troublefield of Manassas VA, Charles “Chuck” Troublefield of Goldsboro, NC and Naomi L. McLarin (Stanley) of Princeton, NC; and two sisters-in-law: Starendel Bryant (Gregory) of Fort Washington, MD and Seretha Jimenez of Loganville, GA. In all, God blessed her with seven grandchildren: Roshone Yelverton, Natalia Wellington, Michael Tune, Fuquan Stevens, Sade Stevens, Jherhyrrah “Coco” Stevens and King Demeatrice Stevens; three great grandchildren: Roshumba Yelverton, I’Shaum Yelverton, and Jahzara Stevens; a dear friend, Stephanie Ellis of Goldsboro, NC and a host of nephews, nieces, great nephews, great nieces, cousins, and others to love and cherish her memory. 

Funeral service will be held Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at 1 p.m. in the chapel of Howell Funeral Home & Crematory.  Visitation will be held prior to the service from noon until 12:45 p.m. at the funeral home.  Interment will follow at Wayne Memorial Park North.

Services have been entrusted to the care of Howell Funeral Home & Crematory in Goldsboro.

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