Sherman Helmsley Will Dispute Prevents Burial Of His Embalmed Body

Sherman Helmsley, best known for his role as George Jefferson on The Jeffersons, died back on July 24 at the age of 74 from lung cancer, but a dispute over his will has prevented the sitcom star from being buried as of yet.

Sherman Helmsley’s burial has been delayed following a dispute over the actor’s will and whether or not the version consulted for his burial instructions was indeed a valid and legally sound expression of the actor’s wishes.

Near the end of his life, Helmsley lived with his “beloved partner” (per his will) Flora Enchinton, 56, and friend Kenny Johnston, 76.

In a will signed less than two months before Helmsley died of lung cancer, the Jeffersons star bequeathed his entire estate exceeding $50,000 to Enchinton with whom, by all accounts, he spent his final days.

But after Sherman Helmsley’s passing, Richard Thornton (who is said to “maybe” be the actor’s brother) contested the will, claiming that the document may not have reflected Helmsley’s wishes.

The Washington Times quotes Enchinton, who says that those contesting the will and preventing Sherman Helmsley’s burial, came out of the woodwork, not when the actor was ill, but after his death:

“Some people come out of the woodwork — they think Sherman, they think money,” Enchinton said. “But the fact it that I did not know Sherman when he was in the limelight. I met them when they (Hemsley and Johnston) came running from Los Angeles with not one penny, when there was nothing but struggle.”

Helmsley’s embalmed body awaits burial as the dispute is litigated.