Rachel Helms

Rachel Bell Tucker Helms, 86, died Sunday, February 6, at her home in the Fairview community of northern Union County. Having been born in the same house in which she died, she came into the world on January 17, 1925. Rachel was the daughter of the late Lonnie Wilson Tucker and Alice Bell Simpson Tucker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ira H. Helms, who died in 2008, as well as a sister, Ruby Tucker Creel. She began her education at the old Spruce Pine School on Brief Road, walking the two miles to and from each day. She attended high school at Fairview School graduating in 1940 as Valedictorian of her class. In the fall of that year, at 15 years of age, she began her college education at Appalachian State Teacher’s College, now ASU. She majored in Early Childhood Education, receiving her degree in 1944. While in college, she was a drum majorette. In the 1970’s she went back to Appalachian where she received her Master’s Degree in education. After her first year teaching in Sanford, NC, she began a long teaching career at Fairview Elementary, interrupted only by her desire to spend her children’s early years at home. Rachel became a member of Bethlehem Presbyterian Church upon her marriage to Ira, where she served in many capacities over a sixty-plus year time period. Areas of service included Sunday School teacher, various offices in Presbyterian Women, singing in the choir, communion bread baking, and service on the Christian Education team. She became the first female officer of the church when she was elected a Deacon. Later she served the congregation as an Elder. As a homemaker, educator, community service volunteer, and activist in local politics, Rachel became a respected leader in many organizations. As a dedicated educator, she was active in NCAE, NEA, and local classroom teacher organizations. She later participated in NCRSP. Her lifelong interest in children and youth led her into years of being a Cub Scout Den Mother as well as serving as a 4-H leader. Rachel loved her home community of Fairview. Alongside other Fairview citizens, she worked diligently toward betterment of the area. In the sixties, she helped win recognition for Fairview in annual competitions and judging by the Piedmont Area Development Association. More recently she participated in informational meetings concerning the Goose Creek Watershed and Carolina Heelsplitter issues. As a dedicated homemaker, Rachel participated in both Home Demonstration as well as Extension Homemaker clubs, of which she was most recently a member of the Farmers’ Market group. Other organizations in which Rachel had a long record of participation and leadership include Midland Chapter 260 of the Order of the Eastern Star, the Democratic Party, and Democratic Women of Union County. Rachel also served on the Union Memorial Hospital Board for a number of years. Following retirement, she and Ira both enjoyed volunteer work at the hospital. Always desiring to be busy and productive, Rachel had many hobbies, both past and present, including furniture refinishing, chair caning, sewing, knitting, reading, baking, note writing, and both vegetable and rose gardening. One neighbor who visited in the Helms home as a child commented, “Your mother’s kitchen always smelled like a bakery.” Pumpkin pies, cheese straws, pound cakes, and cookies were among her specialties. She instilled in her children the importance of always hand writing personal notes and thank yous. No less was acceptable, according to her. A visitation will be held at Bethlehem Presbyterian Church in the Multipurpose Room on Thursday, February 10, from 4 – 7 p.m. The funeral service will be held on Friday, February 11, at 11:00 with a 30-minute state prior to the service. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Rachel is survived by one sister, Grace Tucker Harris (Chuck) of Herndon, VA; three children, daughter Patricia H. Kindley, son Russell W. Helms (Becky), daughter Alice H. Habbal (Fadi); four grandchildren, Kara Kindley Lemon (Bill), Krista Kindley-Martin (Terri), Jason Habbal (Malea), Sydney Habbal; four great grandchildren, Jason, Jamie, Josh, and Zoe Lemon. The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorials be made to Bethlehem Presbyterian Church, 7608 Concord Hwy, Monroe, NC 28110.