Helen Marie Rapley

Helen Marie Rapley, of Gainesville, Georgia, formerly of Taylor, Michigan, was born September 24, 1938 in Jewel Ridge, Virginia and passed away June 10, 2025 at the age of 86. She attended Chadsey High School in Detroit, where she graduated January 27, 1956, and then attended Wayne County Community College.

Helen is survived by her husband, Lance Rapley (of Gainesville, GA), of 62 beautiful years; her children, Doug (Vanessa) Rapley (of Florence, AL), Don (Kim) Rapley (of West Branch, MI), and Julie (Mark) Haberski (of Gainesville, GA); and lots of grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, and her sister.

Prior to retiring, Helen was a secretary for Taylor Public Schools. She loved her job and interacting with students and staff. Later in life she said that it was one of her biggest regrets in life was retiring.

Helen was a woman who spoke her mind, when she was a little younger, as she aged, she mellowed out a bit but as kids (Doug, Don, & Julie) always know who “wore the pants in the family” so to speak and it wasn’t Dad!

Mom loved her dog, Dolly, and especially her previous dog, Teddy. We all know she loved Teddy more than she loved her kids. LOL!

Helen wasn’t an over-the-top religious person but she attended church every Sunday morning, and occasionally Wednesday Nights. She believes in our God and our Lord and Savior. We pray for her peace now.

Visitation will take place at The Allen Park Chapel of The Martenson Family of Funeral Homes on Friday, June 13 from 10:00 am until 1:30 pm. The funeral service will begin at 1:30 pm. The burial will take place immediately following at Parkview Memorial Cemetery, Livonia, MI.