C. Marion Helton

1st Corinthians 15:58 relates this profound truth, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord". It can be said with no discussion, that Curtis Marion Helton lived the truths of this Bible verse every day of his life. In the early morning hours of Monday, June 2, 2025, God saw that his faithful servant was tired, and his body was ravaged by illness. As Marion's family gathered around his bedside, God stretched forth His hand of healing grace and eased Marion into his new life eternal. His family took great solace in the fact that his separation was only temporary, and the family circle would be complete once again. What a day that will be!
Marion's incredible life journey began on July 16, 1947. His parents, Curtis Lee and Alice Ruth Phillips Helton welcomed him into the family home in Hogansville. His parents preceded Marion in death, as did a brother, James Ronnie Helton.
Marion graduated from Newnan High School in 1965. He enlisted in the United States Coast Guard shortly thereafter. His honorable service included attaining the rank of Petty Officer First Class. His service included stations in Miami, Jacksonville, and Key West, Florida. After returning to civilian life, Marion took advantage of the opportunity to further his education. In 1976, he graduated from West Georgia College (now UWG) with a degree in accounting.
Marion's professional journey spanned several decades. In the 1970s he worked as a supervisor at West Point Pepperell. In the 1980s, he served as a plant manager at Desoto Falls in Douglasville. His last management position was department manager with Shaw Industries. Ironically, that was the same company that had purchased West Point Pepperell, his first employer. He had truly come full circle!
For the remainder of his career, he operated an extraordinarily successful lawn care business. He retired fully in 2024.
No experience in the life of this good man could be expressed without giving proper credit to the woman behind the man. Marion met a pretty girl by the name of Patricia Lynn Abercrombie while playing badminton in the back yard of her friend Cathy Cox. Pat was only 11 years old. He was some older (12) and wise enough to know that there was something very special about this young lady. They became the best of friends. Their love story spanned 58 years. Anybody that could talk his wife into riding a commercial mower and cutting grass in the heat and humidity of summer in a cemetery had to be amazingly persuasive and she had to be full of love and patience.
"Pops" enjoyed physical activity. Golfing with his son -picture golf clubs cut down to kid size with duct tape, and later with regulation clubs was a great way to spend an afternoon. Horseback riding, line dancing with his family, and participating in bowling leagues and company softball teams populated his life with an unending stream of friends. He was unwavering in his devotion as a fan of the Braves, the Georgia Bulldogs, and never seemed to be able to give up on the Atlanta Falcons. His life story would not be complete except for the mention of his years as a successful pigeon whisperer. That is right. At 12, he and his best friend James Thompson raised show roller pigeons. The awards were impressive and included several national champions.
Marion, as you have come to know, accomplished so much in his 77 years. Nothing he undertook was decided before he first made sure that the decision would be in the best interest of his God and his family. For years he and Pat were part of a gospel quartet with Barnett and Hazel Baker and joyously proclaimed the love of God to any audience in attendance. Marion's faith was not just a show that appeared on Sunday morning. It was a basic tenet of his life that he lived and shared unashamedly every day of his life and in every dealing he had with his fellow man.
Living without this strong man of God in their lives will be quite a challenge for the family that loved him without reservation. He is survived and lauded by his wife, Pat, for all the joy they shared. Together, they raised two children: Kimberly Lynn Helton Mitchell who married Danny; and Kenneth Lee Helton who married Stacie Marie (Watts) Helton. Marion was the proud grandfather to his four grandchildren. They Are Jacob (Jake) Chester Mitchell, Jenna Lillian Mitchell, Miranda Rose Helton and Riley Marie Helton. Marion was eagerly anticipating the arrival of his first great-granddaughter due to be born in August 2025 to his granddaughter Miranda and her fiancé, Jimell De'ron Grayer. She will be known as Aryiah Rose Grayer. Also surviving Marion are his brothers Steve Helton (and Mary), Chris Helton (and Michelle), and his sister Ann Helton Camp. He enjoyed his 11 nieces and nephews and a growing number of extended family members. It's not surprising that a man who loved pigeons would have a four legged bundle of joy around the house. The Helton household was in the care of Bella. In any language you translate the name, it means beautiful. She was certainly all that and more.
There will be a service to give thanks to God for Marion's life of love and happiness on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 2:00 PM in the chapel of McKoon Funeral Home. Reverend Frank Powers and Reverend Steve Helton will lead the service. Family and friends will also gather on Friday June 6 between the hours of 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm for a time of visitation, sharing stories, (some exaggerated) and recalling their fond memories of this good man. The chapel service will be followed by the interment at Forest Lawn Memorial Park with appropriate Military Honors by the United States Coast guard.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.mckoon.com. McKoon Funeral Home and Crematory 38 Jackson Street Newnan GA 30263 770-253-4580.