HELEN MCKINLEY POTILLO

Helen McKinley Potillo was born November 26, 1928 in East St. Louis, Illinois and earned her wings October 21, 2019.  She came to Canton, Ohio in 1947 to care for her uncle.  Later seeking employment in housekeeping where she met a friend that assisted in her starting her first business the McKinley Candy Company. Helen broke barriers by being one of the first African American women in the concession business.  Shortly after meeting her second husband, Helen started her second business S&H Cleaning Service, employing several people from the Canton community.  She was a woman that loved the Lord, her church, and helping those in need.  Her family meant the world to her, especially her grandchildren.

Preceded in death by her parents Harry and Amanda Carson; husbands, William McKinley and Samuel Potillo; brothers, Jab, Butch, Joe and Kaiser; sisters, Buela, Francis and Josephine; son, Kittrell Leroy Matthews; grandson, Kittrell Lamonte “Monte” Matthews; great granddaughter, Micheon Meacham.

She leaves to cherish her memory her son Gary (Linda) McKinley; granddaughter, Raymondé (Chris) Matthews-Strickland, Vanessa Matthews; grandsons, Victor Townsley, Devon Lemonte Johnson and a very dear daughter Agatha Johnston as well as a host of nieces, nephews, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and friends.

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