Helen Reese Sorrell, 90, passed away January 6 , 2021 peacefully with her family around her in prayer. She was born on March 28, 1930 in Look Out, KY, the daughter of the late John and Hettie Reese.  She was an elder at Victory Christian Church and enjoyed her loyal group of church ladies.  Most of her life she worked in Christian radio and one of her proudest moments was interviewing Rev. Billy Graham. She retired at 80 years old as executive manager of WJMM radio. Her interests included reading and keeping up with politics in the newspaper while enjoying her egg muffin at McDonald’s.  Helen excelled in music and upon graduating from Lafayette High School she was offered a scholarship to Juilliard School, but due to family circumstances she was unable to attend. She enrolled at the University of Kentucky. She taught her family by example to love and care for others. She had a gift of expressing herself with humor and love. She was well read and enjoyed her many visits to the Lexington Public Library. 

She is survived by her children; Luanne Miller Milward (John), Lex, Ky, Emily Miller Thornbury (Jeff), Paris, Ky, Elizabeth Sorrell Schueneman, Lex, Ky, her step-children; Jan Sorrell, Fran Gautier, Bill Sorrell, and David Sorrell; brother, John Prater Reese (Flo); seven grandchildren, John Kavanaugh Milward (Cathy), Emily Milward Magevney (William), Alexander Goff Thornbury, Miller Quentin Thornbury, Margaret Reese Scripps, and Eleanor Elizabeth Scripps four great grandchildren; John Canter Milward, Jane Reese Magevney, Henry Hochuli Milward, and William Sanford Magevney. She was preceded in death by her grandson, Jeffrey Dennison Thornbury, Jr and her ex- husbands, Coburn Ray Miller and William E. Sorrell.   She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Her family was very important to her and she loved organizing her Prater family reunions with her cousins; Tommy Rankin, Patrica Carrier, Nancy Eleanor Morris, and George Jacobs; nieces, Suzanne Felsberg, Kristy Balbach, and nephews, Johnny Reese, Scott Reese, and Billy Reese affectionately called her “Auntie “.  Helen was an amazing independent woman and a wonderful mother. Her entire life was about love, and giving back to those less fortunate.  A celebration of life will be held at a later time.

A private family service will be at Milward-Broadway presided by The Rev. Barry Davis, with burial following at the Lexington Cemetery.  Our family sincerely thanks the caregivers at Bluegrass Care Navigators and Sayre Christian Village for their compassionate care of our mother.  Contributions may be made to Bluegrass Care Navigators 1733 Harrodsburg Rd, Lex, Ky 40504; Victory Christian Church, 148 Victory Ave Lex, Ky 40502, or Lexington Public Library 140 E Main St, Lex, Ky 40507.