Cinderella Helen Woodworth found her castle in Webb City

Iwant to tell you a modern day Cinderella story featuring my mother, Helen Woodworth. I will give you the condensed Reader’s Digest version.

Helen was born into a very poor family in Double Springs, Ala. Her grandfather sold moonshine, and her daddy sold home brew. Her daddy never held a job, and any money he touched went into his home brew. There were five children, of which Helen was the oldest. The youngest child had polio, and the only boy died at birth. Helen took the responsibility of being the oldest child very seriously. She went to work early in life to help support the family. She never finished school, as it was more important to put food on the table.

The family left Alabama to move into Missouri’s boot heel around the Sikeston area. Helen met a smooth talker who convinced her to marry him. Charles McCann turned out to be just like Helen’s daddy, couldn’t hold a job and chased the women. He had one of the prettiest women in town and yet allowed his eye to wander. Helen held a natural beauty that caused many a man to take a second look as she walked by.

A young couple took Helen under their wing and taught her everything she needed to know about the restaurant business. The poor girl from Alabama used that knowledge to support herself and her beauty to pick up extra work by modeling. A traveling photographer setting up in Sikeston would often take Helen’s picture to display and attract customers.

Helen divorced her husband, taking on sole responsibility to support her daughter. She moved to Cape Girardeau and opened a nightclub, which was frequented by the local army men. One of those army men took a shining to the lovely Helen, and they married. Jere Farmer hailed from a farm outside of Alba, and when his term with the army ended, he took Helen and her daughter across the state to their new beginning.

The ’50s was an awesome era, and it fit Helen. Women did not go out into public without looking their best, and she did that well. She was a very sharp dresser, with matching shoes, hat, gloves and jewelry. Her makeup was flawless and once again, she turned the head of many an admirer. She was a pinup girl in the Missouri Transportation calendar and was named Miss Ford Ranchero of 1960, just to name a couple of her modeling rewards.

Helen was associated with many movie stars and influential businessmen while employed with the Sands Motel in Joplin. That was the place to stay. Local businessman and philanthropist, Myron McIntosh took an interest in the beautiful Helen and he became her photographer. She traveled as offers came from Kansas City to model.

The marriage between Helen and Jere did not work out, and once again, Helen was the only means of support for herself and her daughter, Jeanne. She opened a little cafe in Webb City, just north of 16th and Madison, owned by Jerry Cobble. And this is where the Cinderella story comes to life.

The milkman who served the cafe was enamored by the pretty Helen, but although handsome, she thought he was arrogant. It took time for Richard Woodworth, a Golden Gloves boxing champ, to convince Helen that he was not like the other men in her life. They were married Nov. 29, 1961. Along with Richard, Helen took on his family of three girls and one boy. The lovely model was now a mother of five.

For the first time in her life, Helen did not have to work to support her family, but boy did she have to work…cooking, laundry, cleaning, and she loved every minute, especially in the evening, when her knight in shining armor would arrive home and sweep her off her feet.

Helen and Richard Woodworth made an excellent couple. They discussed their family decisions, shared ideas and raised a family together. Helen received the gift of a lifetime when Richard bought her a house behind the Webb City Public Library. It seemed like such a large home, but with five children, it was big enough to house a family full of love.

Helen was content to stay home and care for her family, but as the children began to grow older, she took on a new career. She became a Tupperware dealer. And as it was with anything in Helen’s life, she took it on with a challenge to be the best… and she was. She was supplied with a car; she won items to furnish her home and enough to share with others. She loved going out and meeting the people. She made friends and helped others who were just beginning to sell Tupperware. For 18 years, Helen carried the title of Tupperware Lady.

When Richard retired from Foremost Dairy, he worked other jobs just because he couldn’t sit still. One day, as he and Helen were walking around town (picking up trash as they went), Richard noticed that Memorial Park needed some weed eating. After the walk, he returned, weed eater in hand and trimmed up the park. At this time, Jim Boyd was the only year-round park worker. Richard became his volunteer. He later worked with the street and parks departments. There is  bench in memory of Richard along the walking trail in King Jack Park.

In the meantime, Helen had taken on the volunteer job with the city as code enforcement officer. She checked for rummage sale permits, prevented signs from being nailed to utility poles and checked for the accumulation of trash in yards. She loved her job. When that job was phased out, Helen began volunteering with the annual city celebration, Mining Days. Through the years, she served as chairman, co-chairman, treasurer, and was always in charge of the food booths and the Mining Days booth. She served countless taco salads.

Helen served two decades on the Park Board. Webb City was her favorite place to live. Richard, her knight in shining armor, left her with many wonderful memories, and she lingered in the past daily, recalling her wonderful life as Mrs. Richard Woodworth, the mother of Jeanne, Gloria, Sue, Steve and Cheri.

Helen was also a grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. Her cup runneth over with blessings.

Helen Woodworth passed away Nov. 18, 2015, at the age of 83.