Helen Augusta (Watkins) Shoots, died September 25, 2010 at Manor Care in Westerville, Ohio, following a long illness. She was born in Rushsylvania, Ohio October 28, 1912, the daughter of the late Troyless J. and Carrie Sutherland Watkins. She was also preceded in death by her husband of sixty four years, John W. Shoots April 25, 2000; a daughter, Carol Sue (Shoots) Miller; a grandson, Benjamin Cuyler Mallory; sisters, Florence Mayo Ramsey and Sarah Weiss Taylor; brothers, Howard Newton Watkins and John Sutherland Watkins; niece, Jane (Watkins) Thames and nephew Robert Watkins. 

A graduate of Rushsylvania High School in 1931, she lived her entire married life in Zanesfield, Ohio. She was a homemaker, active member of the Zanesfield Methodist Church, with WSCS and the church choir. She was very active in the Zanesfield community, participating in the Zanesfield Minstrel and as a 4-H advisor. 

She is survived by her children Ralph (Barbara) Shoots of Westerville, Mary Anne Mahr of Columbus, Ohio, Janet Leasure of New Port Ritchey, Florida, John D. (Josephine) Shoots of Las Vegas, Nevada, Ruth (Charles) Mallory of Minster, Ohio; grandchildren David (Marty) Miller, Rhonda Shoots (Tom) Jones, Matthew (Jane) Miller, Sally Shoots (Dean) Johnson, Brian (Wendy) Miller, Nora Jane Shoots, Troy (Jennifer) Leasure, Joe (Amy) Shoots, Angela Leasure (Bill) South, Emily Mahr Conway, Carrie Mallory (Steve) Parada, Blake Mallory, and step-granddaughter, Allison Schlarman and her twenty nine great grandchildren. Also surviving are three nephews and seven nieces. 

She was a loving wife, mother of six, grandmother of thirteen and great-grandmother of twenty nine whose greatest joy was spending time with her family. 

She and her husband wintered in St. Petersburg, Florida in later years before settling back in the Groveport and Westerville areas near her son and daughters in 1998. 

The Shoots family developed the Valley Hi Ski Area now known as Madriver Mountain.

Calling hours will be Thursday, September 30, 2010 at the Eichholtz Funeral Home in Bellefontaine from 4 P.M. to 7 P.M. Rev. Bonnie Frost will conduct the funeral service at 11:00 A.M. Friday, October 1, 2010 at the Zanesfield United Methodist Church in Zanesfield, Ohio. Burial will follow the funeral service in the Zanesfield Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to the Zanesfield United Methodist Church  2880 Main St. Zanesfield, OH 43360 or Central College Presbyterian Church  975 S. Sunbury Rd.  Westerville, OH 43081