Helen Knox Radcliff, 88, Tucson, Ariz., died Sunday, Jan. 2, 2011 after a brief illness. She was born in Altoona on Sept. 19, 1922. She was the daughter of Willard and Mary Commons Knox, well known residents of Neosho County, Kansas. Helen graduated from the Thayer High School in 1940 as the valedictorian of her class. After becoming a licensed hair dresser, she operated her own business in Thayer for several years.

In 1946 she married Robert J. Radcliff, also of Thayer. The Radcliffs later lived in Pratt and Wichita. They had two sons, Roger and William. She was employed by Security Abstract and Title Company in Wichita for many years before her retirement. In 2001 she moved to Tucson where she has enjoyed the desert lifestyle.

She was preceded in death by her parents and by her brother, Willard Knox, Jr.

She is survived by her sister, Mrs. Jud (Ruth) Lackey, Parsons; her two sons and their wives, Major General (ret) and Mrs. Roger Radcliff, Tucson; Mr. and Mrs. William J. Radcliff, Warrensville, N.C.; three grandchildren, Robert Radcliff (Suzanne), Dallas, Texas, Michael Radcliff (Bridget), Tucson, and Jennifer Radcliff. Warrensville, N.C.; two great-grandchildren, Abigail and Jackson Radcliff, Dallas; as well as nieces and nephews that she truly adored.

Funeral will be 1:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7 at the Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Parsons. Burial will be in the Thayer Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on Friday.

Online condolences may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com.