Helen J

Cauthen

Helen J. Cauthen entered eternal rest on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at the age of 87 in Englewood, NJ. She was born on December 1, 1937, in Pleasant Hill, SC to the late Lester Truesdale Sr. and Sarah Moore Truesdale and was raised in Heath Springs, SC. During her early years, she accepted Jesus Christ as her savior and was baptized at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Heath Springs, SC.

On March 22, 1953, Helen married the love of her life Alex Cauthen in Lancaster, SC. From this loving union, they were blessed with four children, Mack, Wayne, Fern, and Ricky.

In the 1950's, Alex and Helen moved and settled in Englewood, NJ. As a Homemaker, Helen never worked at any company or had a career; but make no mistake, she was the CEO of "122 Elmore Avenue" where she ran the household and raised four children. In addition to raising her children, she was regarded by many on Elmore Ave as a second mother and affectionately called "Mrs. C.". She always had an open-door policy where people would come to the house and talk to her about anything.

Everyone who knew Helen knew her favorite activities were cooking, listening to music, and dancing. Many of Helen's nieces, nephews and others would come to the house to eat some southern food. However, it was her desserts that were legendary such as her famous coconut cakes, sweet potato pies, and banana pudding.

Helen also enjoyed listening to music and had an impressive range of genres from old school 1960's Soul/R&B, Gospel, Jazz,and even Rap (yes, introduced by her daughter). Of all the activities Helen enjoyed, dancing was at the top of her list. While growing up, Helen and her brother Lovit entered dance contests, and won them all. She continued dancing throughout her life until the very end. When she was unable to move her body like she once did, it did not matter, she would move just one shoulder to let everyone know she still has it. All you had to do was put on James Brown's "Doing It To Death".

Helen was preceded in death by her beloved husband Alex Cauthen, her first born son Mack A. Cauthen, parents Lester Truesdale Sr. and Sarah Moore Truesdale, three siblings Willie Truesdale, Lovit Truesdale, and Lester Truesdale Jr and brother-in-law Roy King.

Helen leaves, to cherish her memories, Wayne A. Cauthen (Rita), Fern J. Cauthen, Ricky D. Cauthen (Susan), daughter in law Karen Cauthen (Mack); sister Norma King, Sister in laws Marjorie Boyd Duncan of Camden, SC, Carrie Truesdale of Lancaster, SC and Dorothy Truesdale of Kershaw, SC; six grandchildren, Erin Morgan, Jamaal Cauthen, Loryn Cauthen, Sharon Sermon, Tiffany Cauthen and Alexis Cauthen; two great grandchildren, Journee Sermon and Sydney Morgan and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and cherished friends.

Helen's love for family and friends was undeniable, and she will deeply be missed but never forgotten.