Helen Frances Terrell

Helen Frances Terrell
Helen Frances Terrell, 75, passed away on Sunday, August 16, 2026. A native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Helen graduated from South Philadelphia High School in 1970.
In 1975, Helen met the love of her life, David, following a chance meeting on an Amtrak train. Before the train reached its destination, David asked Helen to get off the train and marry him. She laughed and said no. After David made several trips to Philadelphia to convince her, she said yes, and the two were married in December 1975 before moving to Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska. She went on to embrace the life of an Air Force spouse, moving around the country while raising two children in military housing before the family settled near Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, Virginia, in 1994.
Helen retired from NASA in May 2019 following a 40-year career in civil service. She was a devout Catholic and a longtime member of Bethel Manor Chapel, where she worshipped for more than 30 years. She also taught First Communion, touching the lives of generations of parishioners and families in the community.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Lucy Madara; her brother, Raymond “Ray” Madara; and her beloved granddaughter, Briella Bailey.
She is survived by her husband of more than 50 years, David Anthony Terrell Jr.; her son, Anthony Terrell, and his wife, Gretchen; and their children, Luke and Gemma. She is also survived by her daughter, Teresa Bailey, and Teresa’s children, Maddox and Colton.
Helen is also survived by her brother, Alfred Thomas “Tommy” Madara, and his wife, Carol; her sister-in-law, Kim Madara; and a host of brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews.
Helen will be remembered for her unwavering faith, devotion to her family, and the kindness and generosity she showed to everyone fortunate enough to know her.
A Vigil Service will be held at Bethel Manor Chapel in Hampton on Monday, August 31, at 6:00 p.m. Her Funeral Mass will be held at Bethel Manor Chapel on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Helen’s family will receive friends following the Funeral Mass in the Bethel Manor Chapel Fellowship Hall. Her burial will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk, Virginia.
Arrangements are being handled by Amory Funeral Home in Yorktown, Virginia.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that memorial donations be made to Catholic Charities USA in Helen’s memory.