Helen Irene (Vollan) Metz passed away on Saturday September 19, 2026, after a short illness.
She was born on April 19, 1951, to Edwin and Bernice Vollan of Jamestown, Kansas, and grew up on a sharecropping farm. She graduated from Jamestown High School in 1969, and went to college at Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas. While there, she met her husband of 54 years, Ronald Metz, and they were married in July of 1972. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with a minor in music and taught in Kansas, Texas, Alaska and Missouri. She obtained her Masters of Education with emphasis in reading at Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kansas, while her husband obtained his Bachelor’s degree. While teaching at a preschool, she was awarded a grant by the State of Kansas to develop a nutrition education program using sack puppets. She taught preschool, 1st and 2nd grade. She taught 5th grade reading in Elgin, Texas, and adult literacy to soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas. She had one son, Jacob Metz, born in 1985 at Fort Hood, Texas, while her husband was stationed there. He was her miracle because the doctors told her she would not have children unless she had surgery, which was never done.
Helen was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church and was active in United Methodist Youth Group. She held several positions in United Methodist Women and was President of Church Women United for several years in Joplin, Missouri. At Byers Avenue United Methodist Church in Joplin, Missouri, she ran a preschool and Mother’s Day Out program and sang in the choir and handbell choir. She was the church librarian and a library aide for the Joplin Public Schools. She was a member of the Victory Singers Christian musical drama group and Heartland Ecumenical Camino. She attended multiple workshops and worked with her husband in Christian Clown Ministry and balloon decorating. She attended Bible Study Fellowship for over 10 years. While a member of the Algood United Methodist Church, she has taught Sunday School for several years and helped with numerous activities. She has been a certified Lay Speaker and lead and spoke from the pulpit on several occasions.
Helen loved flowers and gardening as well as bead craft, ceramics, embroidery, quilting and sewing. She loved genealogy and was especially happy to have found distant relatives in Norway.
She is survived by her husband Ron, son Jacob, daughter-in-law Kit, grandson Dylan, granddaughter Katlynn, and adopted family of Katheryn and Shawna Catt and their daughter Teresa Mills. She has a brother-in-law Martin Metz and wife Donna of Washington State, sister-in-law Valoise Armstrong of Connecticut, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Many others have called her adopted mom because of her love and caring for those she encountered and lived around. She will be greatly missed by all.
A Celebration of Helen's Life was held at 1 p.m. Friday, September 25, at Algood United Methodist Church. Visitation for friends and family was Friday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the church.
Hooper Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements, (931)526-6111. Share your thoughts and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com.
