Helen Childers

Obituary: Sarah Helen Childers, age 83. On April 7, 2015 our family changed forever. Our sweet mother and grandmother (Gran) left us behind and went to join her Mother and Father in her heavenly home. Our hearts are broken...yet we rejoice in being loved by her. Helen never met a stranger and loved unconditionally. In her presence you knew that you were loved and special. There was no room in our home for prejudice or selfishness. We were taught by example that ALL people are created equal. Helen was born in Greenville, SC to Joseph (Joe) Wilson Carson Spencer and Thelma Elizabeth Miller Spencer. She graduated in 1950 from Cannon High School. She took early retirement from Cannon Mills to be the ultimate caregiver to her mother. Helen was a member of Shadybrook Baptist Church, Kannapolis, NC for 54 years and directed the Nursery for 30 years always loving and nurturing every one of the children in the church. Left to cherish her loving spirit is her husband, James D. Childers that loved her and cared for her until his health failed; her only child, Kathy Leazer Gillon...her caregiver for the 12 long years of Alzheimer's disease; Dr. Rick Felts, Kathy's lifetime companion that has loved his Helen, cared for her even when we couldn't...hugged her, kissed her and was holding her tightly and telling her that everything was OK and how much she was loved when she breathed her last breath. Grandsons, J. David Gillon (Catherine & Keethen) of Kannapolis, NC; Dana L. Gillon (Debbie) of Fuquay-Varina, NC; great-granddaughter, Lilli Sophia Gillon and another great-granddaughter due in May; the father of her grandsons, David B. Gillon (Joan) of Concord, NC; one sister, Mary Elizabeth Spencer Crisco of Hildebran, NC; former husband and Kathy's father, G.W. "Dub" Leazer (Doris) of Mooresville, NC; caregiver and forever friend, Kelana Parks; loving and devoted neighbors, Brad, Ashley, Delton, and Clara Adams; our entire Childers family; and lastly but certainly not least...the ENTIRE staff of Big Elm Nursing Center...our Home Sweet Home for the past 3 ½ years. Our unending love and eternal gratitude to each and every one there! Memorials may be sent to Big Elm Nursing Center Activities Program, c/o Louree Sorrow, 1285 West A Street, Kannapolis, NC 28081. PRECIOUS MEMORIES WILL INDEED LINGER FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS. The celebration of Helen's life will be at 2:00 PM Friday, April 10, 2015 at Whitley's Funeral Home Main Chapel, Kannapolis, NC officiated by Dr. Rick D. Felts with grandsons J. David and Dana L. Gillon assisting. Interment will follow at Carolina Memorial Park, Kannapolis, NC. On-line condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com.
Visitation: 12:30-2:00 P.M. Friday April 10, 2015 Whitley's Funeral Home

Service: 2:00 P.M. Friday April 10, 2015 Whitley's Funeral Home Chapel

Interment: Carolina Memorial Park Kannapolis, NC