Missionary  Helen Johnson and her friend Helen Nyberg dedicated their lives to sharing God's love with others.  "The Helens," as they became affectionately known, shared a home at Red Fox from 1948 to 1952.  At that time they moved to Cody community, where they lived until construction of Carr Fork Lake forced them to relocate. In 1967, they merged with Glenna (Teda) Smith, and the three have shared a home at Brinkley for the past 27 years.                          

Perhaps one of the most far-reaching aspects of their ministry is their involvement in the local school systems.  The Helens are remembered by thousands of students and teachers over a period of 53 years for bringing bible lessons to 28 different schools in Knott, Letcher, and Perry Counties.

Helen Johnson was born in Moorhead, Minnesota, the daughter of Eskel and Hulda Johnson, whose parents were Swedish immigrant homesteaders in the Dakotas. She received the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior at the age of eleven and had a clear sense of His calling to mission service during her high school days.  Following high school graduation, she attended Moorhead Sate College in preparation for a teaching career.  After two years of teaching school in Minnesota, Helen was led to serve in Kentucky, were there was an opportunity
to teach the bible in schools.                                                           

She along with Helen Nyberg started and taught Sunday Schools at   Breedings Creek, Cody, Wolfpen, Defeated Creek, Kelly Fork, Isom (Letcher County) and Big Branch (Perry County).  Four of these grew into churches. Helen Nyberg was a charter member of the Cody Bible Church. They have directed and taught many Vacation Bible Schools in Knott, Letcher and Perry Counties and have also provided leadership for outstanding youth ministries and ladies missionary fellowships. They have been actively involved in Twin Rocks Bible Camp and Camp Nathaniel.                                                                       

Helen has been recognized and honored by the Evangelical Free Church and the Free church Women's ministries at the nations, district and local levels.  Special tributes have come from boards of education, superintendents, principals, teachers, students and from those in all walks of life in numerous states.  Tributes have also been given by those who lives have been touched through their involvements in the Keenagers Homemakers, the Knott county Retired Teachers, the Letcher County AARP, the Carr Creek Alumni Association and the Knott County History Book Committee.                                                                     

 Corbett Mullins
April 2003