Helen Olinger, a beloved mother, grandmother, and pillar of her community, passed away peacefully on January 15, 2026, at the age
of ninety-three.

Born on December 7, 1932, in Vaughn, Mississippi, she was the daughter of the late Harry Ward and Julia Raye Pepper. Growing
up in Mississippi shaped her spirit of hospitality and her deep love for family. On April 30, 1955, she married the love of her life,
Raymond Olinger, beginning a journey of shared devotion and faith. She was the proud and loving mother of four children:
Sandra Niolet, Anna Hilt, Sheila Olinger-Fritz, and Harry Olinger. Her family was her greatest pride, and she raised them with the
same grit and grace she carried throughout her life. Her legacy grew as she became the cherished grandmother of Jeremy Niolet,
Shannon Niolet, Sarah Unrein, Jonathan Hilt, Harrison Olinger, and Corey Olinger. She was further blessed to be a great-grandmother to Trentin Niolet, Christian Niolet, Keragon Niolet, Kaylee Rodriguez, Madelynn Rodriguez, Emily Unrein, Evangeline Hilt, and James Olinger; and a great-great-grandmother to Sadie Grace Niolet, Saylor Grey Niolet, and Zayvier Ramirez-Rodriguez.
A dedicated member of St. Theresa of Lisieux Catholic Church, she found her greatest joy in service. Whether she was organizing parish bazaars or serving the local fish fries, her presence was a staple of church life. She was known everywhere for her "infamous" gumbo—a recipe that brought people together and filled her home with warmth and laughter. To share a meal at her table was to know you were truly family.

She is preceded in death by her devoted husband, Raymond Olinger; her beloved daughters, Sandra Niolet, and Sheila Olinger-Fritz; her parents; and her siblings, Stanford Pepper and Maryanne Williams.