Tributes

Henry Houston Helms, Jr., 99, of Mooresville and formerly of Charlotte, NC, another member of the greatest generation, peacefully left this world on December 16, 2022, to join the Lord's kingdom with his parents and his wife of 61 years, Isabelle Johnston Helms. Henry was born in Waxhaw, NC August 16, 1923 to the late Henry Houston Helms and Maude McManus Helms. In addition to his parents, Henry was preceded in death by his brothers Clegg Helms and L.E. Helms, and sisters Sarah Helms Jones, Faye Helms Bragg, and Jean Helms Wooten. Henry was raised in Waxhaw during the Depression. He graduated Waxhaw High in 1940. The US Army called in 1943 and he served honorably in the Medic Corps as part of the 409th Infantry - The Cactus Division. He spoke sparingly of crossing Europe, but he was proud to have served. "We just did our job." After returning home, Henry enrolled at North Carolina State where he earned an electrical engineering degree. He was hired by Southern Bell and started his career in Yellow Pages sales. He retired in 1981 as Division Sales Manager for the company. For many years before and after retirement from Southern Bell, Henry served on the Carolinas Telco Federal Credit Union Board of Directors where he also served as Treasurer. Henry met his bride, Isabelle when he was hired by Southern Bell. He patiently culled the herd of Isabelle's numerous suitors. They were longtime members of Providence Baptist Church and were married for 61 years until Isabelle's passing in 2017 after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease. Henry was Isabell's primary caregiver for several years. Henry and Isabelle moved from Lansdowne to Lake Norman in 1984. Some of his greatest joys after retirement were his huge garden, cultivating his own azaleas, travel (Hawaii to Australia), playing golf with Southern Bell and TELCO friends, hosting huge annual family reunions, and enjoying watching his two granddaughters grow up on the lake. Lauren and Lindsey remember their grandfather as sincere, kind, gentle, generous, smart and level-headed (except for the wet bathing suits in the grandparents' bed episode). Most important to Henry was his family. One of nine siblings, Christmas gatherings and family reunions were annual events. Henry is survived by brothers Coy Helms and Johnny Helms, and sister Zell Helms Emory. He was the very proud father of Barbara Helms Dortch, who's wedding to Bob fell, conveniently enough, on Henry's last official day of employment with Southern Bell; his two granddaughters - Lauren Dortch Crozier (Robert, New York) and Lindsey Dortch Brock (Philip, Asheville), and his great-granddaughter -Cora Mae Brock. Being one of nine (and Isabelle being one of six), the extended family is large. The family members know who they are and that Henry was proud of them and would do anything for them. The extended Helms family was able to gather at the lake in August near Henry's birthday for another family reunion. More than 70 were in attendance. The promise was made that the reunions will resume in part as a celebration of Henry and Isabelle's lives and continue to strengthen the family bonds. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation to the Alzheimer's Association, to the American Cancer Society, or the charity of your choice.

Tributes

Henry Houston Helms, Jr.

August 16, 1923 - December 16, 2022