Amanda Jo Helmbright

Amanda Jo Helmbright was a warrior. Once diagnosed with lung cancer nearly two years ago, Mandy never gave up. She never complained, never got bitter, and always maintained a fierce, optimistic, and cheerful outlook – even after countless treatments, tests, and hospital stays. Mandy’s focus remained, as it always had, on her husband and her three kids.

She passed away on Wednesday, September 9, 2015. And hearts broke.

Mandy was born in Portsmouth, Ohio on January 9, 1970, the third daughter to Roger G. Fetters and Janice Faye (Chapman) Fetters. She grew up in Bellbrook, Ohio, where she met her high school sweetheart, Kenneth Jay Helmbright. Kenny became her husband on February 20, 1993, and three amazing kids, Ty, Tanner, and Tayler, followed. Partners, friends, and soul mates, Mandy and Kenny were made for each other, two parts of one whole. The love they shared for one another was felt by everyone around them.

The family of five lived in Springboro, Ohio, and although caring for her children was Mandy’s calling and consistent priority, Mandy was also a hair stylist/confidante/therapist for 22 years. Most of her clients have had no one else touch their hair for nearly that long. She loved her work, adored her fellow stylists, and relished making others look beautiful.

Filled with a desire to always be with those she loved, Mandy enjoyed long motorcycle rides with Kenny. She loved watching their beloved Dallas Cowboys with their kids (and their dog, Dallas). She treasured family time – holidays, cookie baking, pool-time at her in-laws, and especially, vacations all together at the beach. Those were indeed her “Happy Times.”

Mandy touched so many lives. She was a soft-hearted, compassionate soul. She was also fierce. Fierce. In her love for her family, in her loyalty, and in her bravery. She left indelible marks on people with her kind spirit, her thoughtfulness, and her beautiful, always-ready smile. She loved to laugh with her husband and children, dance with her sisters and friends, and talk for hours sharing thoughts and feelings with her beloved mom. Mandy loved hard, she played hard, and she fought hard. She will be so missed.

Mandy was preceded in death by her also one-of-a-kind father, Roger G. Fetters. She is with him now, watching over all of us.

She is survived by her soul mate, Kenny; the loves of her life – her children, Ty, 22, Tanner, 20, and Tayler, 17; her adoring mother, Faye Chapman Fetters; her three heart-broken sisters, Shelly Andrasik (and husband John and sons Austin and Luke), Cassie Fetters (and husband Aaron Kuertz), and Heather Burroughs (and husband Herb, son Kennon, and daughter Kiyah); and her cherished in-laws, Dr. Robert and Carolyn Zimmer, Ronald and Nancy Helmbright, and Cindy Steele (and her children Lindsey, Logan, and Lacey).

Visitation services for Mandy will be held at Westbrock Funeral Home, 5980 Bigger Road, Kettering, Ohio, on Wednesday, September 16, 2015, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Funeral service is on Thursday, September 17, 2015 at 1:00 pm at David’s Cemetery, 4600 Mad

River Road, Kettering, Ohio. A Celebration of Mandy’s Life will be held from 5:00 – 8:00 pm on Thursday, September 17 at the American Legion Hall, 5700 Kentshire Drive, Kettering, Ohio. All are encouraged to come join us, share memories, and celebrate a life beautifully lived by a beautiful woman.