Helen Jane Hackney Wilson, age 84, passed away on Thursday, November 21, 2024 at Brightmoor Hospice in Griffin, Georgia. She was born on April 22, 1940 in Ducktown, Tennessee to the late James Frederick Hackney, former Mayor of the city of Blue Ridge and Editor of The Blue Ridge Summit-Post, and the late Mildred Westmoreland Hackney, a beloved elementary school teacher. Helen graduated from West Fannin High School in 1958 and pursued higher education at Young Harris College. As a longtime resident of Blue Ridge, Helen worked at a local textile company. She was a City Council Member for the City of Blue Ridge, serving from 1989 until 2005. Helen served as the Commissioner of the Blue Ridge Police Department and also served the Water Authority. She was an active member of Blue Ridge United Methodist Church, serving on church boards and singing in the choir.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Ben Allen Sanders. Her second husband, Truman Wilson, to whom she was married for thirty-five years, also preceded her in death.

Helen is survived by her beloved children, Ben Allen (Lisa) Sanders and Leigh Ann (Brandon) Hobgood; and grandchildren, Colin John Sanders, Eric Daniel Sanders, and Sierra Noel (Tim) Peters.

Helen's greatest source of pride and joy was her children and grandchildren. She was a loving southern lady who loved her family and friends tremendously. She will be missed always.

Funeral service was held on Monday, November 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. from the Akins-Cobb Blue Ridge Chapel with Rev. Dr. Nathaniel A. Long and Rev. Sam Hamby officiating. Interment followed in the McKinney Cemetery with the following gentlemen serving as pallbearers: Colin Sanders, Eric Sanders, William Fields, John Fields, Robert Westmoreland, and David Westmoreland. Serving as honorary pallbearers were Jerry Pack, Jerry Gordon, Johnny Scearce, Allen Fields and Phil Fields. The family visited with friends at the funeral home on Sunday afternoon, November 24, 2024 from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.akinscobb.com

Akins-Cobb Funerals & Cremations of Blue Ridge, GA was in charge of these arrangements.