Mr. J.P. Helms

Mr. J.P. Helms, 92, of Salisbury, NC passed away Tuesday, February 03, 2015 at Novant Health Rowan Medical Center after being in declining health for several years. Mr. Helms was born June 4, 1922 in Union County, NC to the late Sarah Leola Reid Helms and Walter Jenkins Helms. He was a graduate of Lilesville High School Class of 1939 and Salisbury Business College in 1950. Mr. Helms served in WWII from 1942-1946 in the U.S. Army with the 99th Infantry Division of the 395th Regiment. He was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge and received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. Mr. Helms began his career for JCPenney. He transferred from the JCPenney store in Albemarle to open the new JCPenney store in Salisbury as an assistant manager. He joined the Salisbury Post in 1949 as advertising salesman and retired in 1988 as advertising director. Mr. Helms was a member of First United Methodist Church where he was active in the Golden Rule Sunday School Class and sang in the Celebration Choir. He served on many mission building trips for the church including extensive stays in Miami for Hurricane Andrew, flood restoration in Albany, GA and the Western NC Mountains. He worked on numerous homes for Habitat for Humanity and volunteered for Meals on Wheels for many years. He was a member of the Salisbury Optimist Club and Sales Executive Club. Mr. Helms loved woodworking and building play houses for many families throughout Rowan County and places as far away as New Jersey. He enjoyed playing bridge and was an avid gardener known for his tomatoes and vegetables which he shared with friends and neighbors. Preceding him in death was his infant brother, W.J. Helms and sisters, Pauline Helms Cox, Cleo Helms Sellers, and Mae Helms Hanna. Surviving is his wife of 68 years, Sally Elizabeth Sedberry Helms; daughters, Vicki Helms Butler and husband Charles of Hiawassee, GA; Pam Helms Clark and husband Word of Winston Salem, NC; and Libby Helms Hoffmire and husband Charlie of Blowing Rock, NC; and granddaughter, Amanda Paige Clark of Greensboro, NC. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends in the Stanback Room of First United Methodist Church from 2-3 PM Thursday (Feb. 5). A funeral service will follow at 3 PM at First United Methodist Church, conducted by Rev. Dr. Mark Conforti, Minister of First United Methodist Church & Rev. Dr. Donald Haynes. Burial will follow at City Memorial Park. The family would like to give a very special thank you to Dr. Brent Seifert and the staff at Novant Health Rowan Medical Center for their care. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church Building Fund, 217 S. Church St., Salisbury, NC 28144 or Hurley Park, c/o Hurley Foundation, PO Box 4354, Salisbury, NC 28144. Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Helms family. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.

Mr. J.P. Helms

June 4, 1922 - February 3, 2015