Evelyn Helms

Evelyn Ledbetter Helms, 96 years of age, of Oakboro, passed away Wednesday, July 27, 2016 at her home surrounded by her family.

Evelyn was born May 22, 1920 in Stanly County to the late William "Jackie" Schuylar Ledbetter and the late Susan Emaline Smith Ledbetter. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Hugh Charles Helms; son, Hugh Roger Helms; infant son, Jerry Wayne Helms; sisters, Mary Barbee, Odessa Brooks; and brothers, Alton, Alfred, Reece, and Bruce Ledbetter.

Evelyn was born in a log cabin that was built by her great-great-grandfather, Alford Ledbetter. She was the youngest child of Jackie and Susan. Her older brothers and sisters were also born there. At the age of 5 her dad bought land from her grandfather and built a house for his family. She played along the Rocky River which joined their land. Collecting Indian Head rocks. She and her sisters walked to Mineral Springs Baptist Church (just across the road) from Ledbetter Ford Road. When she graduated from Oakboro High School, she moved to High Point where her brothers, sister, and mother lived. A few months later Hugh went and brought her back to Oakboro. They were married and continued to live out their lives together in Oakboro. Her home place was sold after her mother passed in 1963. It is now N.C. Land and Trust Property.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm, Saturday, July 30, 2016 at Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle. The funeral service will follow at 3:00 pm in Hartsell Funeral Home's Lefler Memorial Chapel, officiated by Elder Branan Hooven. The burial will be at Smith's Grove Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, Highway 138, Oakboro. At other times, the family will be gathering at her home.

She is survived by her daughter, Sue Greene and husband Earl of Oakboro; four grandchildren, Scott Morgan of Oakboro, Amy Stegall and husband Tim of Oakboro, Russell Morgan and wife Amanda of Polkton, Jennifer Helms of Albemarle; three great-grandchildren, Spencer and Brock Morgan, Arianna Hartsell; and sister-in-law, Gladys Helms of Oakboro.

Evelyn was a devoted to her family. She was a true matriarch, who held her family together. Evelyn was a woman of strong faith and strength. She worked at Oakboro Cotton Mill, and retired from Stanly Knitting Mill. Evelyn attended Mineral Springs Baptist Church as a child until she got married. She later attended Smith's Grove Primitive Baptist Church as long as her health allowed. Evelyn loved flower and vegetable gardening.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Staci with Healthy at Home, and Bandi and Amanda with Hospice for their compassionate care.

Memorials may be made to Autism Speaks, Attn: Web Gift,1060 State Road, 2nd Floor, Princeton, NJ 08540, American Cancer Society, 1901 Brunswick Ave., Suite 100, Charlotte, NC 28207, or Hospice of Stanly and the Uwharrie, 960 N. First St., Albemarle, NC 28001.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Helms family.

Online condolences may be made at www.hartsellfh.com