Mary Helen Hardwick Elliott

Mary Helen Hardwick Elliott, 92, of Burnsville, Mississippi, passed away Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at the Hospitality House in Iuka. Helen was born to a sharecropper, and as the oldest of ten, she was a second mama to her siblings and so many others as she aged. She was smart and graduated top of her class with a college scholarship that she was not fortunate enough to accept. She was a strong, Christian woman that served, worshiped, and taught at Love Joy Baptist Church where she was a member her entire life. Helen was a loving wife and mother in that old, no-nonsense Southern way and instilled countless lessons into her children. She taught them to get on their knees in the closet when needed, be honest, work hard, and never whine. Her talents were many. She could sing like an angel, cook better than anyone her family knew of, preserve anything that needed preserving, sew everything from clothes to tree ornaments, taught herself to play the piano, and could do anything she put her mind to. In her spare time, she enjoyed sitting down with a good mystery book or a Thomas Kinkade puzzle. Through her 92 years, she left a massive impact on all around her, and her wisdom, strength, and love will live on through her family who were blessed to have had her.

Helen is survived by her children, Judy Smith, Billy Don Elliott (Jody), and Tracey Blakney (Tony); her grandchildren, Jeremiah Smith (Osi), Lindi Whitaker (Wez), Chad Elliott, Hunter Thornburg (Anna), Chase Elliott (Karli), Alex Holloway (Dallas), and Jaydon Elliott; her great-grandchildren, Makayla Smith, Elena Smith, Shep Whitaker, Frankie Faye Elliott, Winnie Whitaker, Rafe Thornburg, and Beau Elliott; her brother, Orlander Hardwick (Rotha); and a host of other family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Billy F. Elliott; her parents, Clyde and Boyce Hardwick; her siblings, Lola Crawford, Edna Murrah, John Loyd Hardwick, Jerry Hardwick, Nancy Springfield, and 3 infant siblings.

Cutshall Funeral Home in Iuka, MS, is entrusted with the arrangements. Visitation is scheduled from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at Cutshall Funeral Home in Iuka. Funeral services will follow at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday at Cutshall Funeral Home in Iuka, officiated by David Robbins. Pallbearers include her grandsons. Burial will be in Burnsville Cemetery. An online guestbook may be accessed at www.cutshallfuneralhome.com.