Helen Ailene Johnson

Helen Ailene Johnson, age 86 of Plainfield, IN passed away on Monday morning, October 20, 2025. Helen passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, after a life filled with church, love, and devotion to God and family.

Born to a loving family and to farm life, Helen learned the values of perseverance and humility early in life. Those lessons stayed with her throughout the years, along with an avoidance to eating chicken, shaping the woman she became – strong, gentle, kind, and endlessly giving.

She graduated from Wilson High School in Arkansas and moved with her brother to Indianapolis. That’s where she met Marvin on a blind date at 18 and married seven months later. She and Marvin worked together, giving praise to the Lord, raising four children, babysitting for others, ironing for people and then proudly passed the Civil Service to work at the Post Office until she retired.

Whether helping a neighbor or friend with a package or sharing a kind word, and witnessing for the Lord, Helen always made people feel seen and valued.

Helen was a devoted wife for 67 years, a loving mother, and a proud grandmother and great-grandmother. Her greatest joys came from caring for her family and her home was always filled with warmth, laughter, playing card games, Aggravation and the comforting smell of a home-cooked meal. She was the heart of her family and the glue that held everyone together.

Her memory will live on in the lives she touched and the love she gave so freely.

Helen was born on January 7, 1939 in Reverie, Tennessee, a daughter of Walter and Lillian (Handley) Smith. She was one of eight children: Norman Smith, Joseph Smith, Alfred Smith, Omer Smith, Grace Higbee, Floyd Smith and Anita Smith.

Helen is preceded in death by her siblings: Norman, Joseph, Floyd and Grace.

Helen is survived by her siblings: Alfred (wife Eurita) Smith of Little Rock, AR, Omer (wife Linda) Smith of West Memphis, AR, and Anita Smith of Indianapolis.

Helen married Marvin Johnson on December 21, 1957 in Linton, IN. She is survived by her loving husband of 67 years: Marvin Johnson of Plainfield, IN.

Helen and Marvin’s children: Carol (husband Edward) Sibiga of Surprise, AZ, Mark (wife Anne) Johnson of Plainfield, Bruce (wife Barbie) Johnson of Plainfield, and David (wife Erika) Johnson of Monrovia.

Eight grandchildren: James Sibiga and Christie Sibiga, Aaron Johnson and Alison McKee, Brittany Stout and Kasey Schiff, Brady Johnson and Isabella Johnson.

Great grandchildren: Reagan and Gwen Stout, Parker and Michael Schiff.

Many nieces, nephews, other family members and relatives also survive.

A visitation will be held on Monday, October 27, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Flanner Buchanan – Decatur Township Funeral Center, located at 5463 Kentucky Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46222.

Helen’s funeral service will follow at 1:00 PM. Pastor Luke Proctor will officiate.

Burial will follow at Putnamville Cemetery in Putnamville, IN where Helen will be laid to rest with many Johnson family relatives.