Ray Helms

Obituary: Ray Valentine Helms 92 of Kannapolis, NC went to be with the Lord on Wednesday August 9th, in the presence of his family to whom he always gave his love and devotion. Ray was born November 19, 1924, the youngest child of the late. Thomas Valentine and Alice Jordan Helms in Cabarrus County. He served in the US Army during WWII with the 517th Airborne Infantry. He saw combat duty in Italy and France and received a Purple Heart. After the war he returned home, married his love and companion of a lifetime, Willie Payne Hartsell and they began a lifelong journey of building a home and family. They spent 67 years together as one until Payne's passing in 2013. Ray was a long time member at Brookdale Baptist Church in Kannapolis. He was employed at the VA Hospital in Salisbury NC until his retirement in 1983. Through the years Ray enjoyed stamp collecting, sports, wood-working and gardening. He liked working with his hands and helping others, but the real passion of his life was family. He loved being surrounded by his family and always had a kind word and smile for everyone. He is survived by two sons: Glenn Wayne Helms (Diane) and William Dale Helms (Teresa).Two grandchildren: Dewey "Sonny" Privette (Toni) and Connie Lynn Schram (Duane). Funeral services will be held 12:00 Noon, Saturday, August 12, 2017 at Whitley's Funeral Home Chapel conducted by Rev. Mike Hubbard. Interment will follow at Carolina Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Cabarrus County, 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081 or to Brookdale Baptist Church, 2511 South Ridge Ave., Kannapolis, NC 28083. Whitley's Funeral Home is serving the family Mr. Helms. Online condolences may be sent to www.whitleysfuneralhome.com
Visitation: 11:00 - 12:00 Saturday August 12, 2017 Whitley's Funeral Home

Service: 12:00 Noon Saturday August 12, 2017 Whitley's Funeral Home Chapel

Interment: Carolina Memorial Park Kannapolis, N.C.