Helen Naomi Mckenzie Truluck

Helen Naomi McKenzie Truluck was called to her heavenly home Tuesday, April 14, 2026, by her Lord and Savior. Helen loved and shared her faith with all she met.

Born August 12, 1937, in Lake City, SC, to the late Almon Kenneth and Maude Williams McKenzie and the late Mrs. Dorothy “Dot” Poston McKenzie. Mrs. Truluck attended Lake City High School, then moved to Columbia to attend South Carolina Baptist School of Nursing. She was president of her junior class in 1957. She married the love of her life, Joseph Walker Truluck Jr. of Olanta, on June 21, 1959. After graduation from nursing school, Mrs. Truluck accepted a position with Dr. Charles Crews, where she built fond relationships with her patients and fellow colleagues. She continued her medical career at Blue Cross Blue Shield until her retirement.

Mrs. Truluck was a member of East Columbia Baptist Church, then Temple Baptist Church. She taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School and was a member of the prayer team, Women to Women, the prison ministry, and the nursing home ministry. She was the Lower Richland Ruritan Mother of the Year in 2004.

Survivors include her son, David (Ann) Truluck; her daughter, Teresa (Edward) Etheredge; her grandchildren, Ryan (Megan) Truluck, Lauren Ann Truluck, Kimberly (Robbie) Dodds, Olivia (Chance) Smith; and her great grandson, Grayson Walker Truluck, whom she adored; sisters, Shirley Jordan and Sharon (Ernesto) Watkins. Also surviving are Cookie, her K9 companion, and her dearest friend, Gertrude “Gertie” Bernasconi. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Joe Walker; her precious daughter, Kimberly Ann; her sister, Evelyn Turbeville; and her brothers in law, James Coleman Turbeville and Averitt K. Jordan.

Pallbearers will be David Truluck, Edward Etheredge, Ryan Truluck, Robbie Dodds, Chance Smith, and Marvin Gray, and the honorary pallbearer will be Grayson Walker Truluck.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to Dr. Steven Minter and his team with SC Oncology Associates, Dr. Benedict Studnicka and his team, and Valerie York, owner of Exclusive Personal Care, and her team, Pat, Susannah, Debra, Lisa, Tina, and Cassandra.

The service will be held Monday, April 20, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Temple Baptist Church, with burial at Greenlawn Serenity Gardens. Visitation will be held at the church before the service from 10 to 11 a.m.

Memorials may be made to Exclusive Personal Care (ECP), 1824 Koulter Drive, Columbia, SC 29210, or Temple Baptist Church, 805 Universal Drive, Columbia, SC 29209.