Helen Oree Potter

Helen Oree Gardner-Potter was born on May 10, 1922, to the late William and Alberta Gardner in Warren, Arkansas. She was the 4th child of 6 born to this union. At the age of 5 years old she lost her mother in a house fire. She was then raised by her father’s sister Aunt Renna. Helen and her oldest sister Margaret moved to California and settled in Los Angeles in 1942. They were later joined by their baby sister IV in 1949 who later changed her name to Ida. The sister’s had a very close bond. Helen was given the nickname “Fat” and Margaret was “Big Momma”. The sister’s nickname stuck with them until their golden years. They were all inseparable.

Helen worked as a housekeeper before deciding to attend Henrietta School of Cosmetology to become a beautician. There she developed “Her Gift”, her childhood dream. She was amazing at “whipping up” all the trendiest hairstyles and transformed many heads into beautiful creations. She worked very hard to perfect her remarkable skills. Helen passed the State Board Exam and was registered as a Hairdresser and Cosmetician on November 30, 1950.

She met Homer Potter who was also a student at Henrietta School of Cosmetology studying to become a barber. The quiet and humble Army soldier and the young outgoing social butterfly fell in love. Opposite in personalities, they both shared working hard and southern morals and values as priorities. Helen and Homer were married on August 31, 1951and to this union two beautiful children were born, Dolores in 1952 and Michael Potter in 1953.

Helen with the support of her husband worked and saved until they were able to open their own beauty salon, “Potter’s House of Beauty”. It was located downstairs from their apartment in Los Angeles. With the entertainment industry starting to bloom in Los Angeles, Potter’s House of Beauty was a frequent stop for traveling Jazz and Blues Musical Acts. She provided them with services ranging from hair styles to manicures and pedicures. They would socialize and “get their drink on” at the back bar built by Homer. Most notably, Ella Fitzgerald offered Helen the opportunity to travel on the road as her private hair stylist which she promptly declined to stay and finish developing her own salon. Saxophone Legend Ben Webster would come get a manicure and check out the girls in Helen’s salon. She became good friends with the rising stars and gained their trust as an honest woman and spectacular beautician. Hank Crawford was one of her favorite. She continued to run her business for several years with the added bonus of doing what she loved. Her salon was closed to make room for a Mobile gas station to be built in that location. Helen relocated and opened a new salon to continue to serve her faithful clientele.

The family eventually found a home to settle in on 96th Street and Western, where Helen continued to flourish as one of the best hair stylists! With numerous family and friends as customers, they continued to support Helen for their haircare needs. Her husband built additions to the house to accommodate all her needs. He even customized the landscape with her favorite flower, assorted roses. Helen’s love for her clientele turned everyone she encountered to family.

Helen loved to cook and her southern recipes always warmed everyone’s heart that entered her home. With the sweet smell of fresh picked vegetables, greens with ham hocks, sweet potatoes with marshmallows on top, okra, cabbage and potatoes, hand snapped green beans, baked chicken with garlic butter and how can anyone forget the “Hot Water Cornbread”.

Family was very important to Helen and she continued to instill that into all of us. She reminded us that we must love one another as God loved us. Helen accepted Christ at a young age and rededicated her life to God in 1994 after joining New Covenant Fellowship Church in Temecula, California. She enjoyed fellowship and Bible Study. Helen always encouraged others to attend church with her and learn God’s word. She prayed every day and for all of us. Her kind words of wisdom will stick with us for generations to come.

Over the years, Helen became a grandmother to Novero and ReKeina. She helped raise, teach, discipline and mentor her grandchildren as if they were her own. She was always willing to help take care of her cousins, nieces and nephews that came to visit and everybody knew that “Aunt Fat” did not play! Going outside to find her a “Switch” would surely be the consequence and she had a yard full of them next to the Plum tree, the tire swing and the play house. After your punishment she always reminded you of her love and that you had to “Be Respectful and Mind your Elders”.

Having a house full of company and love was a joy to her. She would fill the room with the sounds of blues and jazz, as she covered the smell of press and curl with her freshly picked roses and delicious food. She would tell you to go to the kitchen, after you “washed up for supper” to make you a plate of food and make yourself at home.

Helen also loved to travel. Athens and Greece were the highlight of her travels along with Alaska and Hawaii. Helen favored the holidays and was very festive with decorations. Christmas was her favorite. Everyone knew that a family gathering would be held and you could expect to see the Gardner Sisters at one of their homes together in laugher, sibling arguments (that you better not interfere with because they would forget they were bickering and scold you) and always a memorable story. She was a very outgoing and strong “Taurus” woman who always spoke her mind. Helen and her sisters would get together with all the kids who called her “Aunt Fat” and have wonderful times.

Helen lost her husband of 40 years on June 15, 1991. She retired, sold their home and moved to Murrieta, CA, to be near her son Michael and his family. Helen enjoyed spending time with her granddaughter Melissa and welcomed her youngest grandchild, Joshua. She later became a great- grandmother to children of her granddaughter ReKeina and grandson Novero. She met Thomas Smith and after a long courtship they were married on April 8, 2007. Thomas adored her and Helen loved being “spoiled”. They enjoyed a short time together as Thomas preceded her in death on May 16, 2010.

She lived on her own for many of her golden years. She enjoyed watching Christian programs, listening to music, sipping her wine, going to dinner, family gatherings and getting calls and visits from her loved ones. She had a lot of wonderful people in her life. Many that have passed on and some that are still with us. To mention a few, Grace is a longtime friend and family member. Grace was also a hairdresser who operated a booth in Helen’s beauty salon. Barbara and Bill, 30 plus years would make a delicious pound cake for her birthday every year including this last one turning 96 years old. Her friend Jean Jenkins, 58 years of friendship who lives in Florida would come and spend days with her. Nonie, 20 plus years would bring hot meals to her. Charles Graham, 20 plus years would visit and minister to her as well as sing gospel songs for her. Her neighbors, Don and Alma and many more all looked out for her as she continued to live on her own until May, 2018.

Her sister “Big Momma” sadly passed away on September 4, 2013 and “Aunt Ida” on April 7, 2017. Helen was deeply saddened and said “It felt as a part of her soul was missing” by their loss and grieved losing her two lifelong best friends. She continued to grieve the loss of her sisters until her time came to join them on August 3, 2018. Others that Helen enjoyed their company and missed their passing were her son-in-law Edward Moore, Nieces: Janet and Tina; Nephews: Danny and Mack, who preceded her in death.

Helen leaves to cherish her memories, her daughter Dolores Potter Moore and her son Michael and daughter-in-law, Pamela Potter; 4 grandchildren; Novero and daughter-in-law, Julie Potter, ReKeina Rubin, Melissa and Joshua Potter, 6 great- grandchildren; Daniel Alley, Terrence Dunson, Kelani Jefferson, Avery and Emerson Potter and her newest, Kenzie Matthews; also, Novero’s mother Sharon Pichon, Margaret Jo, Carolyn, Debbie, Gloria and Juanita, Theo and Marvin. A host of great nieces and nephews, great- great nieces and nephews and her like-a second son, Elisha Stevenson. She had many more relatives and friends of the family and she always had each of you in her heart and prayers. She loved us all unconditionally and prayed for us all to do the same.

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