Obituary for Helen Anthony
Helen Roberta Lewis was born to Mattie and Robert Frank Lewis on February 26, 1918, joining her three year old sister, Mattie Alice. The Lewis family moved from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Arlington, Virginia, where Ms. Helen attended high school. Ms. Helen obtained employment as a Visual Information Specialist with the United States Information Agency, a rare feat for a young woman of color. Responsible for the content of all non-audio media for a massive governmental marketing firm whose only client was the United States, the intelligent, meticulous, businesslike, witty and wise Ms. Helen rose through the ranks of the agency, eventually reaching the highest civilian grade in the federal government.
Recognizing that she was a treasure, a dashing young United States Army officer, Vincent Peter Anthony, met and swiftly married Ms. Helen. The Anthonys took Negro society in Washington D.C. by storm, earning well-deserved reputations for their kindness, generosity and sophistication. Mrs. Anthony was especially well known for her hospitality at their homes on the “Gold Coast” in Washington, D.C. and on Chesapeake Bay in Deale, Maryland. Her luncheons and dinner parties always featured the finest crystal, china, sterling silverware and food that was carefully crafted in advance, giving Major and Mrs. Anthony more time to spend with their guests. Drawn to service oriented social clubs for women of color, Mrs. Anthony was a member of the Continentals and the Girlfriends, where she made lifelong friends.
Major and Mrs. Anthony began to spend winters in West Palm Beach, Florida in the 1980’s, and quickly made an impact on the community. Mrs. Anthony was a charter member of the Greater Palm Beaches Business and Professional Women’s Club, serving as Secretary and providing scholarship assistance for youths for more than 30 years. Her staunch support of the Scholarship Program led the Club to bestow on Mrs. Anthony the coveted Sojourner Truth Award.
Although Major and Mrs. Anthony did not have children, their nieces, nephews, cousins as well as their friends’ children and grandchildren sought wisdom, guidance and often financial assistance from them. Both are warmly described as loving, kind and generous. Friends of Mrs. Anthony cherish 30 to 40 year-long relationships in which Mrs. Anthony’s wit was on full display and there was “no falling out and not one unkind word.” Friends drove Mrs. Anthony from West Palm Beach to Washington, D.C. to bury her husband in Arlington National Cemetery after his death on September 19, 1985.
Major and Mrs. Anthony socialized in West Palm Beach with Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Ferguson for many years. After being widowed, Mrs. Anthony and Mr. Ferguson eventually rekindled their friendship. Romance slowly blossomed. They married on April 23, 2006 at 84 and 88 years young and lived together happily until Mr. Ferguson passed away on January 1, 2014.
Early in the morning on December 8, 2021, Helen Roberta Lewis Anthony Ferguson, a woman of elegance and excellence, transitioned in her sleep under the loving and watchful eye of her longtime caretaker and friend Glendina Greene. Our loss is heaven’s gain. A lovely, witty angel has ascended, leaving to mourn her devoted stepson, David (Darlene) Ferguson of Charlotte, North Carolina, favorite cousin, Jean L. Brooks of Hyattsville, Maryland, godson, William Colwell, Jr. of Bramwell, Georgia, treasured companion, Glendina Greene, trusted legal advisor and friend, Elaine Johnson James, and loving friends across multiple generations. As she directed, Ms. Helen will be buried with Major Anthony at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
Recognizing that she was a treasure, a dashing young United States Army officer, Vincent Peter Anthony, met and swiftly married Ms. Helen. The Anthonys took Negro society in Washington D.C. by storm, earning well-deserved reputations for their kindness, generosity and sophistication. Mrs. Anthony was especially well known for her hospitality at their homes on the “Gold Coast” in Washington, D.C. and on Chesapeake Bay in Deale, Maryland. Her luncheons and dinner parties always featured the finest crystal, china, sterling silverware and food that was carefully crafted in advance, giving Major and Mrs. Anthony more time to spend with their guests. Drawn to service oriented social clubs for women of color, Mrs. Anthony was a member of the Continentals and the Girlfriends, where she made lifelong friends.
Major and Mrs. Anthony began to spend winters in West Palm Beach, Florida in the 1980’s, and quickly made an impact on the community. Mrs. Anthony was a charter member of the Greater Palm Beaches Business and Professional Women’s Club, serving as Secretary and providing scholarship assistance for youths for more than 30 years. Her staunch support of the Scholarship Program led the Club to bestow on Mrs. Anthony the coveted Sojourner Truth Award.
Although Major and Mrs. Anthony did not have children, their nieces, nephews, cousins as well as their friends’ children and grandchildren sought wisdom, guidance and often financial assistance from them. Both are warmly described as loving, kind and generous. Friends of Mrs. Anthony cherish 30 to 40 year-long relationships in which Mrs. Anthony’s wit was on full display and there was “no falling out and not one unkind word.” Friends drove Mrs. Anthony from West Palm Beach to Washington, D.C. to bury her husband in Arlington National Cemetery after his death on September 19, 1985.
Major and Mrs. Anthony socialized in West Palm Beach with Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Ferguson for many years. After being widowed, Mrs. Anthony and Mr. Ferguson eventually rekindled their friendship. Romance slowly blossomed. They married on April 23, 2006 at 84 and 88 years young and lived together happily until Mr. Ferguson passed away on January 1, 2014.
Early in the morning on December 8, 2021, Helen Roberta Lewis Anthony Ferguson, a woman of elegance and excellence, transitioned in her sleep under the loving and watchful eye of her longtime caretaker and friend Glendina Greene. Our loss is heaven’s gain. A lovely, witty angel has ascended, leaving to mourn her devoted stepson, David (Darlene) Ferguson of Charlotte, North Carolina, favorite cousin, Jean L. Brooks of Hyattsville, Maryland, godson, William Colwell, Jr. of Bramwell, Georgia, treasured companion, Glendina Greene, trusted legal advisor and friend, Elaine Johnson James, and loving friends across multiple generations. As she directed, Ms. Helen will be buried with Major Anthony at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.