Helen I. Barnhill

A Memorial Service will be held February 18, 2017, at 11:00 AM at Plymouth United Church of Christ, 2717 E. Hampshire Street, Milwaukee, WI 53211, 414-964-1513.

Helen Iphigenia Barnhill was born on November 10, 1937 in Ponce de Leon, Florida to Willie
and Faustana Ponds. When she was 10 years old, the family moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Helen attended North Division High School, Marquette University, and studied at the University
of Wisconsin and Fisk University. In 1975 she was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane
Letters degree from Lakeland College. Helen was married in Milwaukee and raised 7 children
while pursuing a career that included community service, government and business. In the
1960s Helen was actively involved in civil rights in Milwaukee, including desegregation of public
schools, equal employment opportunity and housing discrimination issues. In 1973, she opened
her management consulting business, Barnhill-Hayes and Crosby, which she built into a
successful enterprise, recognized in Wisconsin and nationally. Helen was active in the United
Church of Christ, served on numerous board of directors for educational, business and
community organizations. She ran for Wisconsin’s 5th Congressional District seat in 1988, and
was a speaker at the Republican National Convention. She received many awards, honors and
recognitions and was a speaker, leader, mentor and friend to many.
Helen is survived by son Jerdie Barnhill (Clara) of Pensacola FL, daughters Althea Stemley of
Aurora CO, Hilliary Barnhill of Champaign IL, Kelli Ross (Dennis) of Milwaukee, WI, and Dana
Nesbitt (Delmar) of Champaign IL; sister Glendol Browder of Powder Springs GA and brothers
Willie Ponds, Jr.(Shirley) of Milwaukee WI and Marcus Paul (Rieta) of Pensacola FL; as well as
grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. She is
preceded in death by her parents, her sons Carmen and Stanley and her brother James Ponds.