Helen McMahan Anderson

Helen McMahan Anderson, age 82, gently passed from this life to the next the morning of September 13, 2026, at the home of her daughter in Morganton, Georgia.

Helen was born in Greenville, SC, on March 29, 1944, to the late Philip B. McMahan and Bertha Lockee McMahan. In her younger years, Helen was a skinny tomboy who loved spending time outdoors, climbing trees and playing with her dog, "Stinky." Helen was known for wearing out her shoes too quickly, so her Daddy recommended she take longer steps. Helen loved her family and was blessed to spend time with six aunts living nearby, whom she adored. She spent countless days with them, sitting on their porches, listening to stories and getting her back rubbed. As a teen, Helen discovered a love of reading and excelled in all subjects in high school. When she matured into a beauty, Helen was encouraged to participate in beauty pageants, but she discovered a new fondness for dancing the Myrtle Beach Shag. Spending time at Myrtle Beach soon became Helen's true passion, so much so that in 1996, she was inducted into The Beach Shaggers National Hall of Fame (https://www.shaggershalloffame.org/107 - 1996 Helen McMahan.pdf). During the 1970s, Helen enjoyed a career in Atlanta in Human Resources, with companies such as Planes Unlimited, Interviewing Dynamics, and Del Taco Corporation. She was greatly admired for her sophistication and professionalism, earning tremendous respect from her superiors and co-workers. After kissing several frogs and breaking a few hearts, Helen married the love of her life, Bobby Anderson, in 1984. Together, Bobby and Helen traveled the world and led a charmed life. Their mutual love of golf gifted them many friends for life, and they thoroughly enjoyed the game with their children, as well. Helen and Bobby's part-time home in Burnsville, NC became a gathering place where they made many more joyful memories with family and friends. The hospitality at Hog Heaven was never in short supply, where Helen was always in the kitchen creating anything from a country breakfast to a wide range of gourmet meals truly worthy of a Michelin Star. She was loaded with talent and creativity, a great sense of humor, and the timing to be the world's greatest joke teller. Helen and Bobby also lived in Bouquete, Panama, for 11 years. While there, Helen became interested in genealogy and began researching the Lumbee Indian tribe in Lumberton, NC, with whom she was related through her grandparents, the late Lee and Cora Lockee. Soon after, Helen found relatives she had heard about all her life. Helen and Bobby eventually decided to move back to Georgia because of Bobby's failing health. In Blue Ridge, Helen was close to her daughter and her granddaughters, much to her delight. She and Bobby enjoyed the small town and the laid-back way of life. They also got to see close friends and family and take trips to Lumberton, NC, for Lumbee reunions and homecomings. Thanks to the hard work of many - including Helen -the Lumbee Tribe achieved full federal recognition on December 18, 2025. She was absolutely thrilled.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Bobby D Anderson, Blue Ridge, GA, grandparents, Lee and Cora Lockee, Greenville, SC, parents, Philip B. McMahan and Bertha Lockee McMahan, Greenville, SC, brother, Phil McMahan (Peggy), Beaufort, SC, brother, Jim McMahan (Janna), Berea, SC, brother, Steve Cordell (Shirley), Greenville, SC, as well as several nephews, aunts, uncles, and beloved dogs.

Helen is survived by her daughter, Lisa Weir (Terri), Morganton, GA, granddaughters Peyton Peugh and Parker Peugh, Blue Ridge, GA, former daughter-in-law, Paige Peugh (Allyson), Asheville, NC, Sister-in-Law, Janna McMahan, Greenville, SC, close nieces, Chrys Rogge (Paul), Bonneau, SC and Nikki Jordan (Chris), Greenville, SC, close Nephew, Philip McMahan (Becky), Lenore, Idaho, close stepson, Bryan Anderson (Katy) and their children, Hayes, Cole and Julia, as well as many nephews and cousins scattered throughout Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Washington and Idaho.

At Helen's request, the family will have a very small, private ceremony of the scattering of ashes.

Memorials in her name may be made to Cherry Log Christian Church, 1149 Cherry Log Street, Cherry Log, Georgia 30522, where Bobby and Helen were members and worshipped with their family.

Cochran-McDaniel Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Helen McMahan Anderson. You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranmcdaniel.com.