Mother Helen V. Wade

Obituary Mother Helen Vernell (Swift) Wade was born August 3, 1928, in Monticello, Arkansas to the union of Ruth Owens and Eddie Swift. She was the oldest of two children. Mother Wade attended school in Monticello, Arkansas where she was raised by her grandmother. In 1943, she married Wilbert Neal; to that union, one son, Wilbert Neal Jr., was born and they moved the Alameda, CA. After living in California for five years, Mother Wade moved to Kansas City, MO in 1948. While living in Kansas City, she met and married Elihue Wade and they had four children: Russell, Patricia (Pat), Carla (CoCo), and Gregory (Greg). Mother Wade gave her life to Christ at an early age. She was a woman of faith, strength, and love. Mother Wade depended on God throughout her life and did not take for granted the blessing he bestowed upon her. While serving the Lord and being an active member of the church, she enjoyed being a Sunday School Teacher, serving on the Mother’s Board, attending church conventions, listening to gospel music, and giving spiritual words of encouragement to her sisters and brothers in Christ. Mother Wade was an obedient Child of God and led by example as the Matriarch of the family. Mother Wade was a domestic worker during her life. She enjoyed cooking but mastered the culinary skills in making desserts. Her legendary German Chocolate, Pineapple, and Caramel cakes were a favorite to many whom she fed. Mother Wade was a woman who loved life. She was a humbled Fashion Diva and loved to travel. Mother Wade was not selfish with her teachings, she shared her wisdom and knowledge of experience to embolden anyone in becoming the best person they can be. Mother Wade knew no strangers and everyone she met loved and remembered her. She was a spiritual, kind-hearted, loving woman with many saying she lived by. When Mother Wade spoke, she meant what she said, and she said what she meant and in that order. She was truly one of a kind. Mother Wade ran a good race and held on to her faith to the very end. Mother Wade is preceded in death by her mother, Ruth Owens, and father, Eddie Swift, grandmother, Bell Owens, sister, Pauline Robinson, husbands Wilbert Neal and Elihue Wade, son, Russell Wade, and daughter, Patricia Calhoun. Mother Wade cherished memories are with: two sons, Wilbert (Tony) Neal(Rody) and Gregory (Greg)Wade (both of KC, MO), two daughters, Carla (CoCo) Adams (KC, MO) and Irmalyn Thomas (Beaumont, TX), seven grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, 18 great-great-grandchildren, one sister, Gloria Bonner (Altadena, CA), four extended family members, Norma Johnson (KY), Michael Brewer (MI), Steven Brewer (KC, MO), and Soretta Boone (NC), cousins, and friends. Funeral services Friday, March 3, 2023, 11:00am at Lawrence A. Jones & Sons Funeral Chapel. Interment XII Gates Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Visitation 10:00am-11:00am at the chapel. Service conducted by Lawrence A. Jones & Sons Funeral Chapel. Condolences may be shared our website. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mother Helen V. Wade, please visit our floral store. Read More

Mother Helen V. Wade

August 3, 1928 - February 20, 2023