Helen G. Motley

HELEN GERALDINE MOTLEY was a woman of love, kindness, generosity, and perseverance. She had to be the friendliest person in the City of Chester, showing her spirit of love and kindness towards everyone she met. Her smile was infectious throughout her conversation with you. Her favorite daily phrase was “Thank the Good Lord”. Helen was born to the late Leroy Motley and Alberta Carter-Motley, on February 1, 1944, in Chester Hospital which was located at the time on the current grounds of Chester High School, Chester, PA. Helen quietly and peacefully departed this life on October 26, 2023, at the University of Pennsylvania Pavilion Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. In addition to her parents, Helen was preceded in death by three brothers, Vernell Motley, James A. Motley and Leroy E. Motley, two sisters, Doreen A. Motley and Josephine Rice. In her early youthful years, Helen was raised in the Ruth L. Bennett Homes Public Housing Project where she was very friendly and popular. During her life, she repeatedly faced several chronic medical challenges, including seizures, and more recently her battle with cancer, among other conditions. Despite these medical challenges, Helen went on to complete her education in the Chester-Upland School District, attending Dewey Mann Elementary, Horace Mann School and Chester High School. Helen enjoyed hallway gatherings with her Palmerhouse Apartment friends to talk and listen to good music. Helen’s beautiful memory will be forever cherished by her two loving daughters, Helen Maria Motley and Diane Briscoe-Nowell and one son, Darryl Motley. Also, she is survived by four beautiful grandchildren, Maria (Ree Ree) Motley, Johnathan Briscoe, Alton Briscoe and James Motley. Helen is also survived by two brothers, H. Gene Motley of Bear, Delaware and Albert F. Motley of Chester, PA; two sisters, Yvonne P. Jackson of Clinton Township, MI and Eloise A. Byrd of Chester Township, PA. Also, she leaves to mourn a dedicated and awesome God sent personal assistant and special friend, ‘Lena Warren’, and special neighbor friend ‘Linda Toler’ as well as a host of other relatives and friends.

Helen G. Motley

February 1, 1944 - October 26, 2023