Helen E. Magness

HELEN ESTELLE EVERITT MAGNESS, of Bel Air, died March 11, 2003 at her home, surrounded by her family. She was 93.

Born March 12, 1909, in a home on Patterson Mill Road in Bel Air, she was the daughter of the late William Parker Everitt and Hannah Ellen George Everitt.

Mrs. Magness graduated from Bel Air High School in 1926 and was then employed by Second National Bank in Bel Air. This building now houses the Allfirst Bank on Office Street. Her father farmed for Mr. Ramsey Lee Magness, a prominent dairy farm owner on Emmorton Road in Bel Air. She married Mr. Magness’ son, Albert H. Magness. Shortly after they married, they moved into a new home they had just built on the adjacent property. This home stood on the corner of Plumtree and Emmorton Roads, just south of Bel Air.

Mrs. Magness and her husband began a manufacturing business of dairy farm equipment and ornamental iron railing at that location in the early 1930’s. For the next 50 years, Standard Equipment Inc. grew into a national concern with five manufacturing plants and warehouses across the United States. The Magnesses also raised prized Carnation Holstein cattle on their farm on Emmorton Road.

Mrs. Magness was active in the Emmorton area participating in the Emmorton Grange and the Emmorton School PTA. During WW II, she volunteered as a “plane spotter” for aircraft on the property where the Emmorton Recreation Council building stands.

Mrs. Magness’ lifetime was characterized by selfless devotion to her family and church, family members said. As an active member of Mountain Christian Church for 70 years, she attended faithfully until her death and recently hosted a Women’s Circle meeting in her home.
Mrs. Magness assumed leadership in the Sunday School and Vacation Bible School and stood beside her husband as he chaired the building committee of the first phase of the large stone edifice which stands on Mountain Road.

Mrs. Magness and her husband enjoyed traveling extensively, both here and abroad, and many times enjoyed having their extended family join them.

She is survived by one son, Howard Albert Magness of Bel Air; three daughters, H. Ruth Vaught and her husband Tom, Doris M. Cunningham and her husband, Ellsworth, and Carrie L. Tyson and her husband, Charles, all of Bel Air. Eight grandchildren, Ruthann DeMan, Barbara Vaught, Patricia Holbrook and Church Vaught all of Bel Air, Karen McNeely of Bel Air, and Kim Ill of Richmond, Virginia, Pamela Lawhon of Bel Air, and Suzanne Lambert of Alpharetta, Georgia; 17 great-grandchildren, Eileen and Jennifer DeMan, Kristi Vaught, Rachel Holbrook, Ryan and Lauren Flanders, Kristi, Andy, and Ryan McNeely, Sarah Anna and T.J. Ill, Kyle, Anton, Tamara and Reed Lawhon, all of Bel Air, and Taylor and Maddie Lambert, both of Alpharetta, Georgia; two great-great-grandchildren, Isaiah and Jacob DeMan, both of Bel Air; a sister, Clara Elizabeth Milway Bradley and long-time friend, Barbara B. Magness of Bel Air.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Albert H. Magness and her sister, Margaret E. Scotten.

Pallbearers were: Chuck Vaught, Randy Lambert, Jim Lawhon, Tony Ill, T.J. Ill, and Mike McNeely.

Memorials for Mrs. Magness may be made to the Building Fund at Mountain Christian Church, 1824 Mountain Road, Joppa, Maryland 21085.