Helen S. (Smith) Robertson Rayles

April 2, 2024

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Helen S. (Smith) Robertson Rayles, 89, a lifelong Frankfort resident, died April 2, 2024 at Wesley Manor.  She was born November 3, 1934 in Frankfort, Ind. to Ivan R. & Minnie (Downs) Smith.  She married David A. Robertson in 1954 and he passed in June of 1978.  She then married Richard “Dick” Rayles in 1986 and he passed on December 11, 2023.

Helen was a 1953 graduate of Frankfort High School, received her Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree from Indiana University and Butler University.   She was a teacher and guidance counselor at Clinton Central Schools for 26 years, retiring in 1993.  Helen was a member of the St. Matthew United Methodist Church. Helen loved life and volunteered for several organizations in Frankfort

Visitation and Services

A Celebration of Life will be held from 5-7 p.m. May 14, 2024 at Arborwood by Shoup's, 100 N. Park Dr., Frankfort, IN 46041. Private family burial will take place in St. Paul Cemetery, Forest, Indiana. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Matthew United Methodist Church, Clinton County Boys and Girls Club or the Clinton County Humane Society. Clinton County Crematory and Goodwin Funeral Home, 200 S. Main St., Frankfort are assisting the family.

Survived by:

the following family members: 2 Daughters: Robin (Bob) Lauth of Carmel, Kim (Mike) Vonderahe of Kokomo, Son: Rusty (Cindy) Robertson of Cave Creek, AZ, 4 Sisters: Patty (Frank) Smith of Florida, Mickey Hodson of Frankfort, Jane (Dave) Rodkey of Frankfort, Joan (John) Elliott of Jefferson, Step-Children: John Cassim and Katherine Forsythe of Oregon, 7 Grandchildren: Leigh Ann (Kevin) O’Neill, Lizzy (Dave) Powers, Laura (Joe) Andrews, Jenny Rose (Jordan) Heinzman, David (Lindsay) Vonderahe, Cassie (Austin) Caroll and Carlye (Tim) Morris and 18 Great-Grandchildren.

Preceded by:

her parents, both spouses, 2 brothers, Bennie and Jim Smith and sister Norma Smith

Memorial Video

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Condolences

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41 Condolences for “Helen S. (Smith) Robertson Rayles”

  1. Beth Garrison April 3, 2024 at 1:35 pm

    Sorry to hear of Helen’s passing. She was truly a wonderful person! She taught at Central with my dad, Doc. She turned us on to Edisto Island several years ago and enjoyed visiting her when we were there! The world is a little darker without her in it but feel very lucky and blessed to have known her.

    Reply
  2. Patty Brumbarger April 3, 2024 at 1:46 pm

    Helen was the sweetest person, she went out of her way to go to pickup my son since I was a single parent and he missed the bus. Without her I could not of gotten my son to school. She always asked how he was in later years. We just loved her. She will surely be missed by all. May you continue to help others in heaven Helen.

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  3. Scott Snell April 3, 2024 at 2:06 pm

    Truly the best person I’ve ever known. Mrs. Robertson was a rock. She started a counseling group for children from divorced families, when I was in 4th grade. She loved us all. And, we loved her. She never forgot me even when I saw her at the Manor a year ago. RIP, Mrs. Robertson. You were an Angel on earth. And, now you have your wings.

    Reply
  4. Sheri Thorne April 3, 2024 at 2:52 pm

    I helped care for Helen and Dick. I wish I had known before that Minnie Smith was her mom. Minnie went to my church, cooked at the high school and was my team leader on the summer book crew. She was such a good friend to me. So sorry for your loss and ours. Gonna lift a glass!

    Reply
  5. Randy Lafary April 3, 2024 at 3:07 pm

    I’m so sorry for your loss. Her and my mom had to really work with me to get me through school and graduate. It’s really sad you are gone but you are in a great place now.

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  6. Tami (Stone) Breeding April 3, 2024 at 3:37 pm

    So sorry to hear. She was my very first teacher at Scircleville. I would run into her at the Wagathon and Walmart. She always told me “There’s my favorite student”.

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  7. Rita Andreu April 3, 2024 at 4:25 pm

    Rest in peace sweet lady. I have fond memories of my visits with you and Dick on my trips “home” to Frankfort.
    Condolences to your family.

    Reply
  8. Jeanie and Gary Thompson April 3, 2024 at 4:27 pm

    I was so saddened to read of Helen’s passing. She was a favorite in our family. The kids LOVED her at CC And she was a very close friend to Gary and I. She was a life saver in so many others lives along with ours. We LOVE YOU HELEN! We’ll keep all of her family in our thoughts and prayers throughout the next few days and weeks ahead.

    Reply
  9. Jane A Sheets April 3, 2024 at 4:50 pm

    What an amazing lady, teacher. From first grade teacher to guidance counselor, Helen was loved and admired by all. RIP Helen. You touched so many lives.

    Reply
  10. Angie Lemay April 3, 2024 at 5:45 pm

    Sorry for your loss she was a sweet lady with a sweet heart.

    Reply
  11. Dora Russell April 3, 2024 at 7:11 pm

    Such a great mentor. She loved every child and was such a positive person in so many lives. She will be missed greatly.

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  12. Tara Evans April 3, 2024 at 7:21 pm

    Jane and Joan, so sorry to hear about the passing of your sister. I’m sending prayers and hugs for you both and your families.

    Reply
  13. Donna Trees O’Brien April 3, 2024 at 7:44 pm

    Sorry to hear of her passing. Prayers for all. Loved her. She was my favorite at Clinton Central and beyond. She always told me that she kept a dish that I gave her in elementary and that she loved it. She was a great lady. Hugs to all.

    Reply
  14. Rita Hendricks April 3, 2024 at 8:18 pm

    Loved Helen,
    Wonderful teacher and friend. Spent a lot of time at her house as a teenager. My mom passed away in 6th grade, and Helen was special. She gave her time and love freely.
    She is with the King of all Kings. Much love to her family. Blessed to have known her.

    Reply
  15. Marsha McPherson April 3, 2024 at 8:20 pm

    Helen was a light in my life and so grateful to have known and worked with her and will always remember our 8th hour Friday evenings at Common Grounds along with several of our other colleagues. RIP my friend.

    Reply
  16. Danielle Edmonds April 3, 2024 at 8:24 pm

    Mrs. Raynes Was truly one of a kind! She was my guardian angel and helped me get through one of the toughest times of my life. She was absolutely an amazing woman. My heart breaks now that our world has lost such a wonderful, kind and caring person. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.

    Reply
  17. Lauren Taylor April 3, 2024 at 9:02 pm

    So sorry to hear about Helen. She was the sweetest person. I always enjoyed speaking with her about our ties to Western High School. She was the best of friends to my grandma. She will truly be missed. Sending prayers to your family.

    Reply
  18. David Tishner April 3, 2024 at 9:29 pm

    Sorry for your loss, you guys have had a bad year so far. Prayers to you all.

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  19. Shellie Bates Dexter April 3, 2024 at 11:18 pm

    Deepest sympathy to the family.

    Reply
  20. David Lawler April 4, 2024 at 7:28 am

    What can you say about this amazing women, Helen Robertson Rayles. She was loved by so, so many people, helped so, so many people and offered her services when ever needed without hesitation. Always so cheerfull to everyone, laughing and making other people laugh with her. We are all so blessed to have known her and had the opportunity to get her advice, help and just whatever we needed. Will be deeply missed by everyone.. Rest in Peace, You most definitely deserved your wings…

    Reply
  21. Susie Plunkitt April 4, 2024 at 9:40 am

    Such a sweet lady. I miss seeing both she and Dick. So sorry for your loss.

    Reply
  22. Kelsey Davis (Collins) April 4, 2024 at 9:53 am

    I heard from a mutual friend that she passed and I was so sad to hear this. Helen was a wonderful person. When my mother passed almost 24 years ago now, she was there for me when I needed someone and from then on we would get together on occasions. I would like to know when services will be held. She meant a lot to me. She will be missed. I am so sorry for your loss. Just know that Helen touched a lot of lives. I know I will never forget her.

    Reply
  23. John Hobaugh April 4, 2024 at 10:46 am

    I enjoyed working with Helen during her time as a counselor. I was glad I was able to stop in and see her at the manor a few weeks ago. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. She will be greatly missed.

    Reply
  24. Jeanine and Tim Garrison April 4, 2024 at 12:57 pm

    I am so sorry to hear of Helen’s passing. I really enjoyed getting to know her during our years at Clinton Central Elementary School. She was one of my favorites.

    Reply
  25. Jamie Babb April 4, 2024 at 2:42 pm

    She was a wonderful lady. She was my guidance counselor all the way though school before I moved to Myrtle Beach. When I moved to the beach I happen to run into her at her beach house. She remembered me and continued to keep in touch for a few years. Lady in a silver rx7, she will be missed.

    Reply
  26. Sharon Jones April 4, 2024 at 3:02 pm

    Sad to hear this. She was a special lady. She was so good to my daughter when she was in school at Central. I truly believe she loved all her students. When I would see her in later years she always asked how my daughter was doing and where she was. Praying for family and friends at this time.

    Reply
  27. Nancy Martin April 4, 2024 at 3:41 pm

    Jane and Joan. sending my condolences to you both for the loss of your sister Helen. She was one wonderful woman. Sure did enjoy knowing her. Hugs to you both.

    Reply
  28. Eric Payton April 4, 2024 at 5:15 pm

    She got to know every kid at CC and checked in on all of us when she could. She always had a smile, a laugh, and a conversation ready. Helen truly cared about every single student at Clinton Central. Great legacy, wonderful person.

    Reply
  29. Chris Clark April 4, 2024 at 5:56 pm

    Jane, I’m very sorry for the loss of your sister. She was a very sweet & kind lady. It’s clearly written in these condolences how much she was loved & will be missed. Prayers for your entire family.

    Reply
  30. Capt Chuck Smith USN-Ret April 5, 2024 at 1:08 am

    A celebration of life for my Mother’s namesake is most appropriate for this unique individual. A friend since FHS days when we would hable Espinole in Ms. Heaton’s Spanish class, Helen ’53 was easy to talk with whenever I got back to Frankfort. Last time was when I saw her at ‘54’s 65th reunion. I will miss seeing her at our 70th. Blessings to all who survive and knew her.
    Chuck Smith, FHS’54

    Reply
  31. Helen McDonald April 5, 2024 at 10:03 am

    What a life well lived! You hear that phase often but she lived it. She was one busy lady. She volunteered and helped so many here in Frankfort. Always looking at ways that she could help!! We enjoyed many trips together at Edisto and school board conferences. For many years we would walk around the park at 6 AM getting our exercise in before the school day. Helen was one of those people that you always enjoyed being with. Full of Life! She will be missed by all who knew her.
    Helen and Dennis McDonald

    Reply
  32. Nancy Smith April 5, 2024 at 11:12 am

    Jane & Joan,
    So sorry to hear of Helen’s passing. I worked with her at Suncrest. She was a supervisor for some of the student teachers I have had. She was such a joy to work with. Prayers for your family at this difficult time.

    Reply
  33. Kathy Rocchio April 5, 2024 at 3:43 pm

    You all are in my thoughts and Prayers.

    Reply
  34. Don and Janis Cooper April 5, 2024 at 7:08 pm

    We are so sorry to hear about Helen’s passing. She was greatly admired by so many. It was such a joy to watch her interaction with her husband, David, and her children in our church at Forest. The love was evident and she was a wonderful example for the younger couples. She worked so hard to achieve her teaching degrees. Helen was always happy to talk to those she knew. May God bring comfort to all her family, friends and community.

    Reply
  35. Mischell Johnson April 6, 2024 at 3:04 pm

    My heart is broken. Helen was a life line to my brother and I at the worst times in our lives. She was an incredibly special, kind and wise mentor, friend and second mom in our lives. The world will feel a colder and meaner for me without her in it. I have worked with children, volunteered in my community and served others because of the example she set before me. My prayers and condolences for the family.

    Reply
  36. Nick Marshall April 6, 2024 at 8:11 pm

    Helen was my home room teacher in first grade. She made an impression that lasted a lifetime. When I was a sophomore, her and Al Brannan collaborated to get me into an AAU swimming program that literally changed my life. Coaching at Clinton Central was subpar and I learned many valuable lessons from participating on a team with an actual coach. Helen lived part of her life on Rabbit Track (800N) near Russiaville and it wasn’t uncommon to see her in the yard while I was out biking. For some reason, Helen always confused me and Chris Henry calling him Nick and me Chris. God Bless You Helen Robertson!

    Reply
  37. Karl Kercheval April 7, 2024 at 10:33 am

    An all-time great. I will always cherish our friendship. God’s comfort and peace with the family…

    Reply
  38. Rene’ Rogers April 7, 2024 at 9:52 pm

    Helen was such a positive person. I worked with her at CCE and she loved the students she worked with. My mom ( Patsy Strawn) went to Edisto Beach with Helen and some other CCE staff. Helen loved sharing this beach gem with others. In their later years, Helen and my mom were roommates at Wesley Manor when Helen did rehab in the Health Care Wing. She will be missed! Prayers for her family!

    Reply
  39. Jenn and Sally Mitchell April 8, 2024 at 6:02 pm

    Jane, Joan, Micky and families, so sorry for your loss, sending prayers and hugs to your family.

    Reply
  40. Janet Pastorius April 10, 2024 at 2:12 pm

    I was able to work with Helen for just a few years before she retired, but what a big impression she made on me. She was such a kind and compassionate person! I’m sure all the CC students could feel and responded to her warmth. My condolences to her family and friends. Janet Pastorius

    Reply
  41. Lori Meagher April 14, 2024 at 10:58 am

    She made such a difference in my life. She was always available when I needed to talk. She was a wonderful lady. Loved her a lot.

    Reply

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