Helen Lyerly

Helen Lee Carrigan Lyerly, 92, of Mooresville, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at the Gordon Hospice House in Statesville, NC.

Born September 2, 1932, in Iredell County, Helen was the second daughter of the late Harry Lee Carrigan and Sarah Cordelia "Cordie" Hobbs Carrigan of Mooresville.

In addition to her parents, Helen was preceded in death by her husband of sixty (60) years, Joe Richard "Dick" Lyerly.

Helen is survived by her loving family: son Rick Lyerly (Barbara), daughter Kathy Lyerly (Cheryl), and grandson Adam Lyerly of Mooresville, NC; granddaughter Melissa Mimms (Charlie) and great grandchildren Margaret and Marion of Columbia, SC; sister Jean Carrigan Baker of Huntersville, NC; daughter Nancy Dilks (Gary) of Mt. Mourne, NC; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Helen graduated from Mooresville High School in 1950. She went on to attend Anderson College in Anderson, SC, which was an all-girls school at the time, and graduated Cum Laude in 1952. While at Anderson College, she was also crowned May Queen. Helen's college was located a mere seventeen miles from Clemson College, back then an all-male military college. Regular travel between Anderson and Clemson was commonplace for Helen. Her affection for her college days caused a stir when she would frequently state to her family, several of whom graduated from Clemson, that she was the first diehard Clemson Tiger fan in the family. Enthusiastic sparing for bragging rights would usually ensue. Helen tried to never miss watching her Tigers play, even in her later years.

Helen's life's work took her from Dr. Creighton Wrenn's office in Mooresville, to the Railroad Retirement Board in Salisbury and finally to the career she cherished the most, the United States Secret Service in Charlotte. There, she served as the Office Manager and later as Administrative Officer during her 37-year career in the Charlotte Field Office, ultimately retiring in 1996 with a total of 43 years of federal service. Helen thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie with office personnel and the many special agents who transitioned through the Charlotte Field Office during her tenure.

Helen's faith was extremely important to her. She described attending church when she was growing up as a way of life. A lifelong member at Prospect Presbyterian Church in Mooresville, Helen was baptized and married in this church. She served the church in many ways and held various office and leadership roles during her lifetime. In 2005, the Presbyterian Women presented their annual Honorary Life Membership to Helen of which she was immensely proud. The honor was bestowed to her as a faithful servant of God; as a person who had given unselfishly of her time and talents to the different areas of church life and the community; and as a devoted family member. In 2023, Helen was inducted into Prospect's Hall of Fame.

Helen's faithfulness described her life's mission - to do for others. Following her retirement, she became the primary caregiver to her husband, Joe Dick, for 19 years until his death in 2015. And on any given day, Helen could be found delivering Deluxe Ice Cream to special friends and homebound parishioners as a gesture of thoughtfulness and kindness. The Deluxe Ice Cream brand, once sold by the Mooresville Ice Cream Company, held significant meaning to Helen as her father, the late Harry Carrigan, worked there for over 40 years.

Helen set high expectations for herself and others, especially her family. In her role as a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, or colleague, it was all equal opportunity in her mind for everyone to always demonstrate their best. And if not, you could expect some suggestions from her about what you might do differently next time. Known as Granny to her great-grandchildren, grandchildren, and their friends, Helen was always happy and available to demonstrate boundless love, enthusiasm, and support in their presence and in all their activities and endeavors.

The Lyerly family would like to thank the staff and caregivers at Cadence Mooresville and the Gordon Hospice House who were truly a blessing to Helen and her family.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at Prospect Presbyterian Church, Mooresville, with the Reverand Will Gipe officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the Family Life Center.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Prospect Presbyterian Church, 9425 W. NC 152 Hwy, Mooresville, NC 28115 or Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625.

Cavin-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory, Mooresville, is serving the Lyerly family. Condolences may be made to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.