Helen Zachary

Helen Zachary, the long-time matriarch of her family, gained her heavenly wings on December 6, 2025. Born June 26, 1940, to Andrew and Annie Bell Kennedy in Beulah, Mississippi, Helen moved to Chicago with her family when she was young and continued her education in Chicago. Helen was married briefly to Theodore R. Harris Sr. and birthed two children through that union. Later, Helen met William Zachary through her sister and the two married on December 7, 1968, and lived a happy love-filled life until William made his transition. To help support her family, Helen worked various jobs in manufacturing before attending Dawson Skills Center where she received a Certificate in Administrative Skills. After earning her certificate, she was hired by AT&T and worked as a circuit designer for long-distance telecommunications for 20 years before retiring. During the early years of her retirement, Helen provided childcare services for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was well respected by the young and the old, and her home was always open to friends, neighbors, and for family gatherings. Helen’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren pleaded with their parents to spend weekends and summer vacation time at her home. For many years each summer, Helen organized trips for the neighborhood children to Six Flags Great America. She and Mr. Zachary chartered a bus and provided food for all the youth who attended. Helen moved to Goodyear, Arizona in 2024 to live with her daughter Debra and her family. She enjoyed traveling, spending time with family, and playing games on her Microsoft Surface and watching her British crime shows on television. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 55 years, William Zachary Sr., two children: Theodore R. Harris Jr. and Darryle Harris Sr. and son-in-law Juan (Debra) Horton; three grandsons: Randall Moore, Jason Horton, and Jerry Waller; five brothers: Levi Kennedy, Alonzo White, William Kennedy, Leroy Kennedy, Montague Kennedy; and four sisters: Barbara Jean Parker, Annie Mae Kennedy, Shirley Mayfield-Walker, and Dorothy Peterson. Helen leaves to cherish her memories her children: Alonzo (Brenda) Kennedy, Debra Horton, Barbara (Leslie) Haynes, David (Paula) Harris, Terri Zachary, William Zachary, a daughter-in-law Freda (Darryle) Harris, her brothers: Andrew Kennedy, Henry Copper, Robert Kennedy, Otha Kennedy, and Anthony (Lisa) Kennedy, her sisters-in-law: Ara (Fred) McEwen and Terry (Gary) Matthews, 21 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, one great-great-granddaughter, one great-great grandson, and a host of loved nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. May she rest in peace as we cherish the memories we made with her.

Helen Zachary

June 26, 1940 - December 6, 2025