Helen was born on December 5, 1928, in New Albany, Mississippi to parents Olga Maye (Elder) and James Franklin Pickens. Helen had four brothers: Ralph, Raburn, and Paul Pickens along with her youngest brother, Shand Tilman, as well as two sisters, Mabel Pickens Downs and Hazel Pickens Pitts. Helen was the last surviving sibling.

Helen married Thomas Owen Mounce of Ingomar, Mississippi. Eventually, the couple moved to Memphis, Tennessee where they made their lives together.  Helen was a wife, mother, homemaker and was active in their church in the Women's Missions Union organization, and as a teacher, a volunteer and a member of the choir. Tommy worked for the United Paint Company for many years and eventually started his own business, TM Wallcovering Distribution Company, in which Helen took an active role after Tommy's death in 1981. Helen and Tommy had three children, Janet Kay, Karla Jean and Jeffrey Thomas.

Helen is survived by her two daughters, Janet and Karla and was preceded in death by her son, Jeff.

Janet is married to Steve Ward, and they reside in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Janet and Steve have a daughter, Andrea Ward, who resides in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and a son, Wes Ward, who resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Karla is married to Patterson Adams,and they have four children, Barton Thomas Adams, Jeffrey Austin Adams, Brooke Adams Carter and Emily Adams Moore,all of Nashville, Tennessee. Jeff was married to Paige Mounce Wright and they have three children, Allison Mounce, Gardner Mounce and Julianne Mounce Scholes, all of Memphis, Tennessee. Helen had nine grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren with a twelfth great grandchild expected this November.

After Tommy's death in 1981, Helen became a volunteer for Court Watch, an organization structured to promote transparency and accountability from elected officials within the criminal justice system in Memphis. She was also a trained volunteer for the Rape Crisis Center.

In the late 1980s, Helen met and eventually married Emile Lazzarini of San Francisco, California. They remained together in Memphis until his death in 2005.

Helen lived in Memphis until 2020 when she moved to Nashville to be closer to family. Helen passed away on September 17, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Helen was beloved by her family, extended family and the multitude of friends she made over her lifetime. She will be missed.

A service to honor Helen's life will be held at Forest HillFuneral Home East on Saturday, September 28, 2024. Visitationwill take place from 9:00 am until 10:00 am followed by the service at 10:00 am.