Donna Smith Helton

Donna Smith Helton (89) of Concord, NC passed away peacefully on February 27, 2024 at Five Oaks Nursing Home.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 9, 2024 at Westford United Methodist Church on Hwy 49 at 11:00 am followed by her final resting place at St. James Catholic Church Cemetery on Gold Hill Rd. beside her daughter Mary Jac Williams.

Donna was born on October 19, 1934 in Lexington, NC to the late Harvey Dermont Smith and Mary Alice Byerly Smith. She is preceded in death by her daughter, Mary Jac Williams; brother-in-law, Ralph Milam; nephew, Greg Milam; niece, Byerlyn Milam; and her dog, Maggie.

Surviving family include her sister, Toby Milam, her daughter, Dede Wishon and husband Dennis; grandchildren, Bryan Folds and wife Katie, Sarah Wishon, Chase Bryant and girlfriend Kelly, Josh Williams and wife Krista; great-grandchildren, Sutton Folds, Levi and Kolten Bryant, Bryleigh and Walt Williams; nephews, Jeff Milam, Eric Milam and wife Sam; niece, Angie Holt and husband Carlyle; great-niece, Emma Holt.

Donna graduated from High Point College with a Bachelors degree in Business Administration and later obtained her Masters in Education from UNC Chapel Hill. Afterwards, she attended Central Piedmont Community College and graduated with a degree in Hotel, Motel and Restaurant Management, and would go on to establish Hotel, Motel and Restaurant Management courses at West Charlotte High School. Upon retiring from Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, she moved to Lawrenceville, Georgia, where she was instrumental in starting a Hotel, Motel and Restaurant Management program at Gwinnett Technical College. After retiring a final time, she moved to Surfside Beach and later to Murrells Inlet, SC, until deciding to move to Concord, NC to be near her daughter, Dede, and her family.

Donna loved the beach, playing bridge and reading, and her occasional glass of wine. She also loved traveling and spending time with her friends, and her dog, Maggie.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to her church Westford United Methodist, Cabarrus Humane Society or VIA Health Partners (Hospice Care).

Hartsell Funeral Home of Concord is serving the Helton family.