Helen J. Spragling

Helen Jean Moore Spragling “Big Momma” departed this earthly life on February 4, 2026 gaining her heavenly wings into the Kingdom of Paradise. Helen fought a great fight, she was strong and courageous but GOD did not want her to suffer any longer.

Helen was born January 6, 1952 to Elton Massey and Idella (Reamey) Moore Davis in Memphis (Shelby County Tennessee). At a young age Helen and her family moved to Akron, Ohio in 1955 with her mom, four siblings, and one on the way… with ten more to follow in the coming years. Helen attended Akron Public Schools where she played Basketball, Football, and went on to graduate from Central High School. Helen worked and Retired from Broadview Development Center where she was a supervisor who provided direct health care to the mentally disabled until the center closed years later. Helen was a family oriented person who loved her family! She enjoyed almost all sports; she was a die-hard fan of The Cleveland Cavaliers, The Cleveland Browns, and the Cleveland Guardians. Helen loved to go fishing but was always afraid to put the worms on the hook. She loved to cook, often times welcoming everyone to eat, have fun, and listen to music… she really enjoyed watching the family eat and enjoy her food and themselves. Helen’s food was the bomb, especially her Dressing! She was a beast at bowling… few would know this but she even played on many bowling leagues. Helen was a great Hand Dancer, she loved to dance known as a dance queen especially during her and Linda’s famous annual birthday parties in which they often brought the City out to attend! If you needed to catch up on your “soap operas she was your girl, because Helen often never missed her shows. Helen was a devoted wife to her husband whom she was with for 18 years until the day he gained his heavenly wings. The years to follow Helen became a devoted grandmother who cared for her own and a lot of nieces, and nephews as well.

Helen was preceded in death by her grandmother Mary L. Brown, father Elton Massey, mother Idella Davis, and husband Cloyed M, Spragling, son Robert Moore Sr., and daughter Dionna Moore, sister’s Linda Williams, and Ruth Ashford, brothers John “Boot” Moore, Kenny Moore, and Larry “Cox” Moore. Special nephews Steven Tarver, and LaShawn”Pig” Williams. Helen leaves to cherish her memory, son Damon ”Burkes” (India) Moore, daughter Shakira “Barzie” Garlock, daughter in law Kristine Moore, step daughters Tammy Richardson, and Tina Spragling. Grandchildren Damon Easson, Robert Moore Jr., Shalia “Scooter” (Brandon) Smith, Christopher “CJ” Moore, Deontae(Kaitlyn)Moore, James “Poppa” Garlock Jr., Madeline Moore, DaVon Moore, DeShawn Moore, Karmella Francis, R’Monee Brown, Adrianna Wynn Moore, Danica Moore, and Dacian Moore. Great-grandchildren Aaliyah Moore, and Dream Thomas, sibling’s Mary Risper, Robert Earl Moore, Elton “June” Moore, Michael Moore, Debbie Williams, Sherry Moore, Varetta Dillehay, Veronica Moore, James Davis, and Maurice (Kim) Davis. Special nephews Jamil Shabazz and Demetrius Williams, special nieces Lynnette “Pinky” Williams, and Natashia Stevens, special sister in law Cynthia Moore and Juanita Hundley, as well as special son in law James Garlock Sr.

The Family would like to express a sincere Thank you for all the love, encouragement, support, and prayers received during this difficult time. Please keep the family lifted in prayers in the days and years to come. Thank you, The Moore and Spragling Family.

Visitation will be held Saturday, February 14th, from 10:00am to 11:00am at Church of God Militant Pillar and Ground of the Truth (200 Cole Ave., Akron) where funeral services will be held at 11:00am with Pastor Brenda Brunson officiating.

Interment will be held at Glendale Cemetery.

To share a memory of Helen or leave a special message for her family, visit the guest book below.