Today we celebrate the life and legacy of Sister Helen Oxendine. “Mommy Sing” was her Lumbee Indian name but many knew her as “Nana.”

Nana went to heaven on June 22, 2022 surrounded by love. She joined her parents: Mr. Horace & Mrs. Savannah Locklear and her brothers: Tommy Strickland, James Wallace, Crayton and Layton Locklear; and at last her infant son: Clinton Dewayne Oxendine.

Nana is survived by her loving daughter and caregiver: Carla and her husband Robert Earl Monds; granddaughter: Kilynn Kline; grandson: Jordan Thomas Monds and his wife Ashlyn and great-granddaughter: Charlotte Laura Monds. God Blessed “Nana” with a son she raised as her own: James Miceal Porter along with Bonus Children that she adored: Tommy Locklear Jr. “T.J.”, Eugene and Victoria Locklear, Leslie Huggins, Debbie and Daylon Query and Boyd Lindsey, her stepdaughter Kathy Hunt and her family and many more; as well as the love of her life, her furbaby: Charlie Monds. Her best friend and sister of 60 years Rose Oxendine.

“Mommy Sing” is survived by her sisters: Jeannie D. Hunt, Claras Hunt, Doris Chavis, Betty Brewington and Sylvia Locklear, her brothers: Horace Locklear, Jr. and David Locklear. She loved gathering with her family for biscuit suppers to share stories of yester year. She loved all her nieces and nephews, and it made her happy to have the family together. She was a great cook and loved family dinners.

She also loved a network of gospel groups, Pastors, promoters and acquired family from all over the country. “Nana” loved everyone, especially the broken and wounded.

Sis. Helen was a devoted mother, quiet Christian, loyal friend and a master storyteller. She was a singer, song writer, and once and only once was a guitar player. God anointed her to play guitar and she never played again. There is no way to measure the number of people that she has touched and helped. We have received stories of her praying with people all night long on the phone to stop them from making a mistake. Nana has helped organize hundreds of benefits to help people who have had cancer, burned out of their homes, and many other needs. She organized benefits for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the American Cancer Society.

“Nana” was a member of Carla & Redemption Ministries and she was the first inductee to the Native American Gospel Music Hall of Fame. She also sang with the Sensational Gospel Singers for many years and with Pleasant View Baptist Adult Choir.

Nana’s generosity has caused her to have friends and loved ones that will never forget her. She is a great example of an unsung hero.

The visitation service will be held on Saturday, June 25 from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm at The Life Center located in St. Pauls, NC.

The funeral service will be held on Sunday, June 26 at 3:00pm at The Life Center with the burial to follow at Lumbee Memorial Gardens of Lumberton, NC.

Boles-Biggs Funeral Home of Lumberton is serving the family.