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Mrs. Helen Bray Davenport Gautier, age 97, formerly of the Old Ford Community, died Wednesday evening, June 10, 2020, at Ridgewood Nursing Center.

A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, June 13, 2020, at Old Ford Church of Christ officiated by Mark Lilley and Thomas Hamilton. Burial will follow in Oakdale Cemetery. Will Gautier, Harry Gautier Jr., Jeffrey Stoop, Freddie Griffin, Freddie Matkins and Blake Gurganus will serve as pallbearers. Scott Pake, Kevin Mitchell, Steve Woolard, David Lawrence, Joe Rogers, members of the Christian Women’s Sunday School class and Circle #2 of Old Ford Church will serve as honorary pallbearers.

The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, prior to the service at Old Ford Church of Christ, and other times at the home of her daughter, Ann Elrod, 262 Dan Taylor Road, Washington, and daughter-in-law, Hilda Gautier, 6268 U.S. Highway 17 North, Washington.

Mrs. Gautier was born in Washington County on Oct. 19, 1922, daughter of the late W.H. “Willie” Davenport and Athlene Sitterson Davenport. On Sept. 30, 1943, she married McDonald “M.C.” Gautier Jr. who preceded her in death on Sept. 7, 2002. Mrs. Gautier was employed for three years as a telephone operator before beginning her career with the Beaufort County Mental Health Association. She retired as Executive Director, with 20 years employment.

She was interested in genealogy and was a member of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Mrs. Gautier loved to sew and taught sewing, knitting, and basket weaving through Beaufort County Community College and was a member of the Home Extension Agency. Mrs. Gautier was a faithful member of Old Ford Church of Christ, a member of the Christian Women’s Class and taught Sunday School for a number of years.

Mrs. Gautier is survived by her daughter, Ann Elrod and husband Jim, of Washington; her daughter-in-law, Hilda Gautier, of Washington; her grandchildren, Jeffrey Stoop, Melissa Stoop Alligood, Jennifer Gautier Mitchell and husband Kevin, Will Gautier and wife Jamie and Emily Gautier Pake and husband Scott; her great grandchildren, Jessica Roberson, Tyler Alligood, Taylor Mitchell, Caroline Mitchell, Avery Gautier, Kathryn Gautier, Grayson Gautier, Elli Pake, Anna Brey Pake and Hayley Pake. She is also survived by her sister, Evelyn Davenport Fleck and husband Dick, of Jacksonville, Florida; her step-grandchild, Caroline Gurganus and husband Mike, of Plymouth; her step-great-grandchildren, Blake Gurganus, Keith Elrod and Kellie Elrod Gardner and husband Josh, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband and parents, she is preceded in death by her son, McDonald Gautier III; her great-grandson, Wesley Andrew Gautier; her sister, Susie Marie House; and her brother, William “Bill” Davenport.

Flowers are welcomed, or memorials may be made to Old Ford Church of Christ, 6040 U.S. Highway 17 North, Washington, NC 27889; Mental Health America of Eastern Carolina, 150 E. Fire Tower Road, Suite A, Office 105, Winterville, NC 28590; or the charity of one’s choice.

Online condolences may be addressed to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Gautier family.