Helen Bernice Roof

Ms. Helen Bernice Roof, age 84, transitioned peacefully at home, Friday afternoon after an extended illness.  She was born July 24, 1937, in Florala, AL to Ralph Lee Carson and the Valene Bernice Elmore (Rogers).  She joined and was baptized at St John Missionary Baptist Church, in Florala as a young child. Helen was single at the time of death.

 Helen was a social butterfly and loved people, but none more than she loved her children.  Her grandparents, Henry and Bessie Price helped raise her three eldest children: Patricia Carson White, Wanda Carson Monge, and Vallerie Carson Jenkins.  Helen traveled weekly to Florala, with her four youngest children in tow, to see her three eldest prior to them joining her in Fort Walton in 1971.  While she didn’t travel as frequently to Louisville, KY, she lacked no love for her fourth eldest Ronald L. Carson, who was raised by her mother, Valene Rogers.  She was a proud mother, who often boasted about her children’s accomplishments.  “Technically,” Helen had a ninth child, Rodney K. Stevenson (Amy), her eldest grandson whom she raised and was protected by all his “elder” siblings.

 As a young woman, Helen loved to dance.  She often participated in dancing contests, particularly the “Camel Walk,” with her children.  She may not have laughed often, but when she did, she lit up a room.  Helen loved sewing (Wanda and Val inherited the skill.) and often sewed her children’s school clothing.  Freneshia once refused to wear “homemade” clothes to junior high prompting Helen to go to J.M. Fields to purchase an outfit. No mother worked harder nor sacrificed more for her children than Helen. 

 For years, Helen worked in food service from busgirl to sous chef, first & second cook and ultimately becoming a renowned chef, trained at the Culinary Institute of New York.  She cooked catered weddings and sculpted ice carvings for dignitaries, general officers, and civilians alike. Her amazing talent was undisputed and recognized by being named employee of the quarter several times, given multiple performance awards, and sustained superior performance awards.  She retired from Hurlburt Field Officer’s Club after 20-years of federal NAF service.  After retirement from the Federal government, Helen worked a little league football concession stand (fund raising); managed a trailer park; worked at Okaloosa County Schools, First Baptist Church, and Meals-on-Wheels.

 If you knew her, you know she could be curt but had a warm loving, generous heart.  She willingly helped others and was loved and respected by many beyond measure.  Helen is survived by her eight children: Patricia A. White, Wanda S. Monge, Vallerie Jenkins (Dwaynon), Ronald L. Carson (Mary), Jacqueline Thompson (Al a.k.a Itty Bitty), Ulysses Roof, Jr. (Sandra), Freneshia Roof, and Alphonso Roof.  She is also survived by her siblings: Dorothy Freeman, Charlie Carson (Annie), Mary Davis (Milton), Angela Baldwin, Gloria Gill and sisters-in-love Pamela Elmore, Shirley Carson and Debra Bryant.  She is survived by her 20 grandchildren: Rodney K. Stevenson (Amy), Tiffany Y. Sarrett (Jason), Michael L. Finley (Laura), Pamela N. Finley, Eric D. Campbell, Jr., Erica Y. Jackson (Will), Justin Campbell, Jamal Campbell, Corey Body (Amanda), Tedra N. Thompson, Clarissa Jackson, Freneshia Williams (Andre), Ulysses Roof III, Shamonta Roof, Tresandra Roof, Mahrod Roof, Alphonso Roof, Jr. (Chuntavia), Jason Roof, Denzel Roof, and Taylon Roof. Helen has 29 great-grandchildren, 1-great-greatgrand daughter, a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

 She was preceded in death by her grandparents-Henry & Bessie Price, father- Ralph Carson, mother-Valene Rogers, brothers-Clark Carson, Ralph Carson, Jr., Bobby Elmore, Joe R. Carson, Donald Carson, and Terry Carson, sister-in-love Annie Carson, great-grandson-Jrumir M. Roof, and nephews-Claude Carson and Eric Carson. 

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