James Helms

Mr. James Lee Helms, 84, of 10195 Lighthouse Road, Oakboro, passed away on Friday, September 24, 2010 at his home. He was born on August 25, 1926 in Stanly County to the late Adam Bingham and Minnie Maude Morton Helms. A visitation will be held at Hartsell Funeral Home in Albemarle on Saturday, September 25, 2010 from 6:00 until 8:00 pm. A funeral service will be held at First Baptist Church in Oakboro on Sunday at 2:00 pm, following a 30 minute state, with Dr. Terrell Watts and Rev. Steve Barbee officiating. Burial will be at Oakboro Cemetery with military honors performed by Stanly County DAV Chapter 12. At other times, the family will be meeting at the home. Mr. Helms served his country in the 782nd Army Tank Battalion during WWII. He was a graduate of Oakboro High School class of 1944. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Oakboro and a retired buyer from Eckerd Drug Corp. where he worked in the main office in Charlotte for more than 20 years. He loved his Bible study and singing and playing string music with his friends and his brother Fred. Mr. Helms is survived by his wife of 66 years, Gladys Thomas Helms, of the home; daughter, Dianne Hudson (James), of Oakboro; sister in law, Evelyn Helms, of Oakboro; grandson, Kelly Hudson (Angie), of Albemarle and granddaughter, Johanna Hudson Barbee, of Oakboro; great grandchildren, Baylee Barbee and Rachel and Angel Hudson; his special caregiver, Demond Hamilton; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was the last of 11 children, five brothers and five sisters. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Oakboro, PO Box 10, Oakboro, NC 28129 or Gleaning Mission Baptist Church, PO Box 26, Oakboro, NC 28129.