Nell Little Helms

MONROE -- Nell Little Helms, of 6207 Concord Hwy, Monroe, NC, died on November 2, 2002 in Union County Regional Hospital of breast cancer. Nell was 78 years old having been born on May 26, 1924, in Union County, NC, the youngest daughter of Arthur Elijah Little and Ada Mae Medlin Little, both of whom predeceased er.
Nell marred Parker Lee Helms, also of Union County, on September 12, 1942. Nell and Parker had been married for almost 54 years when Parker died on April 27, 1996.
Nell has three daughters who survive her: Debra "Debbie' Helms Gaskins (Mrs. Herman E. Gaskins, Jr.) of Washington, NC, Rhonda Dayle Helms of Monroe, NC, and Melanie Helms Hurley (Mrs. William Dwight Hurley) of Wendell, NC. Nell has five surviving grandchildren, Herman E. Gaskins, III, Parker L. Gaskins, Collin D. Hurley, Sara Adria Hurley and Elizabeth Rose Hurley. Nell had two sisters, Ona Leigh Little Clontz who predeceased her on December 13, 1953 and Pauline Little Brye of Monroe.
Nell's funeral was held at her church of over 50 years, Benton's Cross Roads Baptist Church, on Monday, November 4, 2002 at 2:00 PM with the Reverend Lee A. Davis officiating. Nell was buried beside Parker in the church cemetery. Visitation took place at McEwen Funeral Home, Monroe, on Sunday night, November 3, 2002.
Pallbearers were Herman E. Gaskins, Jr., Herman E. Gaskins, III, Parker Lee Gaskins, William Dwight Hurley, Collin Dwight Hurley, William Brady Helms, and Charles B. Lomax. The members of the Fred B. High Sunday School Class at Benton's Cross Roads Church served as honorary pallbearers.
Nell was well known as the secretary and bookkeeper in the family business, Helms Bros. Motor Co., Inc., the Dodge and Chrysler dealership in Monroe, from 1962 until 1984. In earlier years, she was active in the Union County Chapter of the Eastern Star where she was Worthy Matron in 1953-1954. She was a consummate role model for her daughters, grandchildren, and countless others with her intelligence, curiosity, grace, strength, joy of life, thoughtfulness and loving-kindness. She had a gift with words, knowing what, when and how to say exactly what was needed.
Nell loved God and her church, Benton's Cross Roads Baptist, where she was active in leadership positions in earlier years. In recent years, Nell attended services regularly and drew strength from her faith and her relationships with her church family. She nurtured her family and friends whom she often "took under her wing' and treated as her own. Always focusing on others, she consistently directed conversation away from herself to others and their experiences and needs. Her ever-positive attitude throughout her struggle with cancer made everyone look forward to visits with her. Nell truly brought sunshine to all with whom she came into contact.
Memorials in Nell's memory may be made to Benton's Cross Roads Baptist Church, 109 Lawyers Road East, Monroe, NC 28110.
The McEwen Funeral Home is continuing to serve the Helms family.