Resident Spotlight: Helen Portman
Helen Ballard Portman’s story begins in Augusta, Georgia, but her true roots took hold in Rome, Georgia, where her family settled when she was just four. The third of six lively siblings, Helen’s childhood was filled with the warmth of a bustling household, the gentle ticking of her father’s clocks, and the everyday lessons her parents quietly taught by example.
Her father, Robert M. Ballard, spent his career at the Georgia Power Company, but he was best known around town as “Grandaddy Tick Tock”—the beloved local clock doctor whose kindness was as dependable as his repairs. Helen’s mother, Lena Scott Ballard, was the steady center of the family, raising six children while volunteering as a Grey Lady at the hospital and serving with the Junior Service League at the Chieftains Museum.
Helen and her siblings—Bobby, Sissy, Judy, Dixie, and Jack—filled their home with energy and laughter. She attended East Rome Grammar School, Rome Junior High, and Rome High School, where her spirited personality made her a favorite among classmates. She was a cheerleader, Homecoming Queen, and Class Favorite, known for her bright smile and generous heart as much as her beauty.
After high school, Helen attended Shorter College in Rome for two years. Though she promised her father she’d earn her degree, fate intervened one summer at the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly in Black Mountain, North Carolina. There, she met William “Bill” Madison Portman—a youth group leader with striking blue eyes—and the connection was instant. They married in June of 1955 and shared 55 years together until Bill’s passing in 2014.
Their journey together took them to Danville, Virginia, Charleston, South Carolina, and finally Hendersonville, Tennessee, where Bill dedicated his life to youth ministry through the YMCA. Over 37 years, he rose to Senior Vice President of the YMCA of Middle Tennessee and continued to support struggling branches in retirement. Helen, ever his partner, built a home centered on faith, family, and creativity.
The Portmans loved exploring the country with family and friends, filling their lives with music, adventure, and tradition. They attended concerts—Elvis and Celine Dion were favorites— and cheered for the University of Kentucky basketball team, traveling to Rupp Arena for games and joining friends for Kentucky Oaks and Derby parties in Louisville.
Helen and Bill raised two daughters: Pamela Quinn and Jodi Tillotson, who has been married to Rodney Tillotson for over thirty years. Helen’s legacy shines brightly through her six grandchildren—Reid, Ashlyn, and Parker Tillotson, and Sarah, Laura, and Kelli Quinn Schwartz—and three great-grandchildren: Ruthie, Whitsun, and Revere Schwartz.
Helen balanced family and work with quiet strength. She spent years shaping young minds as a kindergarten teacher before moving into banking, where she worked in bookkeeping and as a teller at Citizens Bank of Hendersonville until retirement. Her commitment extended to her church as well. Once a member of Rome First United Methodist Church, she became deeply involved with First Baptist Church of Hendersonville—leading the kindergarten program, arranging sanctuary flowers, and sharing her warmth in countless ways.
Throughout her adult life, Helen has treasured friendships—none more so than the “BeBop Gang,” a group of lifelong friends (including one she’s known since age four). Though time and distance have changed their gatherings, their laughter and love continue to brighten her days.
Some of Helen’s happiest moments are the annual Christmas gatherings at her parents’ home, where generations come together to celebrate family and tradition. These joyful reunions are a testament to her belief in the power of connection—a love that continues to inspire all who know her.
Helen Ballard Portman’s life is a tapestry of kindness, resilience, and generosity—a legacy woven not only into her family, but into the hearts of everyone lucky enough to call her a friend.
