Obituary of Helen Adele Phillips-Hannah

May 5, 1936, Helen Adele Philips Hannah, the only daughter of the late Cornelius Albert and Helen Adele Johnson Phillips was born in Mercer County Pennsylvania. She was a graduate of Farrell Senior High School in Farrell, PA, and went on to attend Fredonia State Teachers’ College in Fredonia, New York where she majored in music. Upon graduation from college, Helen began her career as a music teacher. For a brief period, she taught in the Holland Patent Central School District. In 1959, she began her employment as a music teacher with the Rome City School District where she taught for more than 30 years. In addition to teaching in the school system, she also taught private piano and voice lessons. Helen was a kind and caring person, who was continually active in the Rome community. She was a member of the Nu Psi Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She also served as the Chapter’s chaplain and treasurer. Helen was an active member in several community organizations, which included: the Red Hat Society; the Wednesday Morning Club; the Oneida-Herkimer Counties Retired Teachers’ Association; the NYSUT Retired Teachers Association; the RTA Rome Retired Teachers Association; the Christian Women’s Club; the Afro-American Heritage Association; and the NAACP. Grateful for her gift from God, her ability to play the piano, Helen served as the pianist for the NAACP’s MLK, Jr. American Heritage Annual Program. For many years, even before becoming a member, she served as the pianist and organist for Immanuel Baptist Church in Rome. In 1986, Helen married the late Edwin Hannah. On October 29, 2021, Helen entered eternal rest. Her five brothers: Albert, Joseph, Jeremiah, Peter, and Robert proceeded her in death. She leaves to cherish the memories of her life: the offspring of her brothers, eight nephews and eight nieces; two stepchildren; several great and great-great nephews and nieces; a host of cousins; as well as a community of close friends. All are invited to call Saturday, November 20, 2021, from 10am-Noon at Strong-Burns & Sprock Funeral Home, 7751 Merrick Road, Rome. Funeral services will follow Saturday at Noon with Pastor Ian Banks officiating. She will be laid to rest at Rome Cemetery.