Jo Ann Helm

CRAB ORCHARD -- Jo Ann Helm, 76, passed away suddenly at home at 7:03 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25, 2011.

She was born Monday, April 23, 1934, in Fayetteville, Ala., the daughter of Walter Byron and Lillian Odelle (Holcombe) Stone. In her family, there were 16 brothers and sisters, and she was known as the center of the family.

Jo Ann was united in marriage to William J. "Bill" Helm on April 10, 1953, in Chicago, and together they shared more than 56 years of marriage until his death Sept. 5, 2009.

Her working career was with Motorola and later with Western Electric doing wiring, soldering and buffing for more than 30 years until her retirement in 1982.

After her husband's retirement, Jo Ann and Bill moved from Chicago in 1987 to her present home in Crab Orchard.

Jo Ann was an active member of Church of God in Marion. She will be remembered for her strong Christian faith, her generosity to others and always choosing to do what was right. She loved children, showing special attention to the children of the church.

She served as a volunteer for the Family Literacy Center and as a child advocate for Court Appointed Special Advocates.

In her spare time, she found enjoyment in cooking, working in her yard and flowers, feeding the birds, especially hummingbirds, and singing and playing gospel music on the piano and guitar. Though she always kept busy, her family was a very important part of her life, especially her granddaughter and great-grandchildren. Those who are now left behind will cherish the many memories that have been created.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Ronnie Joe "Ron" and Vicci Helm of Colp; daughter and son-in-law, Pamela "Pam" Gaines and Antoine Hajj of Houston; granddaughter, Erica Perry and her husband, Erick, of Amarillo, Texas; great-grandson, Evan William Perry and great-granddaughter, Elyssa Rae Perry, both of Amarillo, Texas; seven sisters and four brothers-in-law, Grace and Elvis Hester of Georgia, Vaudene Evetts of Oklahoma, Judy and Gil Baize of Kentucky, Gerry and Jim Overstratton of Kentucky, Jackie and Eddie Morgan of Illinois, Faye Heavner of Florida, and Brenda and Dixon Fuller of Alabama; five brothers and three sisters-in-law, Preston and Opal Stone of Alabama, Terrell and Taekoi Stone of North Carolina, Holliman and Shirley Stone of Kentucky, Kenneth Stone of Hawaii and Bebe Stone; several nieces and nephews; other extended family members and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and three brothers, Arlene, Manuel and Herschel Stone.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 2, 2011, in Church of God, 1300 Broeking Road, in Marion, with the Rev. Arthur Joplin presiding. Interment will be in Willowrest Cemetery in Carterville. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 1, 2011, in Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 N. Court St. in Marion, and after 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church.

For those who prefer, memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home and the church or mailed in care of Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, P.O. Box 370, Marion, IL 62959.

For additional information or to leave an online condolence or memory, visit www.wilsonmcreynolds.com.