Funeral services will be Saturday, June 20, 2020 at 3:00 p.m., Thalia Mara Hall "City Auditorium" 255 E. Pascagoula Street #4115, Jackson, MS 39201 with burial in Autumn Woods Cemetery, 4000 W. Northside Drive, Jackson, MS 39209. Visitation will be Friday, June 19, 2020 at Westhaven Funeral Home, 3580 Robinson Street, Jackson, MS 39209 from 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.Mrs. Helen Frances King Govan was born on February 26, 1932 in Wichita, Kansas. She was the third child born to Mr. Robert Roger King and Mrs. Gladys Evelyn Jones King. As a bouncing baby girl, she was a special blessing to her parents who mourned the lost of first born. Bobby and welcomed by bug brother, Milton. She shared many special moments with her family as a child bearing the name of her father's oldest sister, Helen, who never had children of her own. She attended St. Augustine Episcopal Church and was baptized there as an infant. In 1949, she graduated from Wichita High School East, commonly known in Kansas as East High.Mrs. Govan received many blessing from the Lord. On June 24, 1949, she married lifelong friend and high school sweet heart, Pastor D.L. Govan. A love affair made in heaven, shared and witnessed by people from all over. "Mr. and Mrs. Govan" have been recognized by many national groups, which invited them to share characteristics that kept their marriage bond strong, intact and admired by so many. Helen would always say " Jesus is the glue that keeps the two." From this strong loving union, eight children were born and nurtured by loving and supportive parents.Mrs. Govan attended Friends University in Wichita, Kansas and completed a Bachelor's degree in Social Work at Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kansas. After graduation, she served as a faculty member at Tabor College, Kansas State University, Phyllis Wheatley Children' Home and in numerous other position as a community services activist and organizer. If you knew her, you have witnessed her strong passion to champion for children rights, families and a desire to make life better for others.Mr. and Mrs. Govan relocated to Jackson, Mississippi to work with Dr. John Perkins at Voice of Calvary Ministries in 1982. This was shortly after the death of their son Guy Andre Govan. They became very active members in Jackson. Their neighborhood and strong members of Voice of Calvary Fellowship. Helen served as a Sunday School Teacher, and was Head Deaconess! Always encouraging women, girls, and mothers and ensuring that children were actively involved.Mrs. Govan continued to work with organization which offered services to address the needs of children. This passion led her to Catholic Charities where she served in the Michelin Home for Pregnant Teens. There, she aided in the adopted of several children and assisted many young mothers in giving birth and with practical points for raising their children. While continuing to share her love for children, she worked at the West Jackson Community Development Corporation (WJCDC) and met her longtime friend and fellow advocate, Carol Todd Robinson. Together at WJCDC, they offered parenting classes and worked to make the community better. Mrs. Govan was a devoted advocate for voting rights, and a faithful precinct manager until there were challenges with her health in early 2020. Even with health concerns, she continued to counsel families and advocate for the rights of children.Mrs. Govan loved people and traveled often with the love of her life, Pastor D. L. Govan who she called, "Daddy." She served on many boards and was a member of numerous community-based organizations. Mrs. Govan served as a very committed member of The Margaret Walker Alexander Foundation, The National Black Evangelical Association, Capital Neighborhood Association, MS College School of Social Work, and the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Central MS Chapter, where she was the Chaplain for several years.Mrs. Govan was preceded in death by her mother; Mrs. Gladys King, father; Mr. Robert King, brothers; Bobbie and Milton Clarence King, son; Guy Andre Govan and grandson; Jeremiah Obadiah Morris.She leaves to celebrate her life and cherish wonderful and loving memories, husband of 70 plus years; Pastor D.L. Govan, sister; Danita (Cliff) Morris of Las Vegas, NV, children; Don (Barbara) Govan of The Colony, TX, Roger (Mary) Govan of Fayetteville, NC, Vicki Govan of Jackson, MS,Gladys (Steve) Morris of Fresno, CA, Keith Govan of Jackson, MS, Vernon (Janice) Govan of Arlington, TX, and Virginia (Jose) Velarde of Watertown, NY, nephew; Vladmir King of Santa Fe, NM, along with daughters-in-love; Pamela Govan of Arlington, TX and Melvina Whitehead of Ridgeland, MS, thirteen grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, a life long friend that she called her sister Norma Eddington and a host of other relatives and friends.