- Posted obit. /klm 09.28.2020
Raymond Edward Helms, 68, of Charlotte, NC, went home to heaven on September 16th, 2020.
Raymond was born to Julian Helms and Frances Cathey on May 22, 1952. He graduated from Myers Park High School in 1970 and UNC Charlotte in 1974. He earned his Masters of Public Health from UNC Chapel Hill in 1992 and spent his career in Home Health and Hospice administration. In his high school and college years, he was a member of the Sounds of America. He married his SOA sweetheart, Deborah Roberts in 1974 and together they raised eight children and fostered many more.
Raymond leaves behind his wife, Debbie, his children, Stephanie Robinson (Chris), Heidi Kienholz (Mike), Ken Helms, Dustin Holmes (Miranda), Jeff Helms (Erin), Christina Helms, Mac Helms, Cole Helms, and eleven grandchildren. He also leaves behind his brother Ken Helms (Ann Marie) and aunt Eleanor Redding.
He was preceded in death by his parents Julian and Frances Helms and his sister Julie Walpole.
Raymond will be remembered for his love of Jesus, love for his family, love of music, and love of a “great deal.” His enthusiasm for everything in life and friendly nature brought a spirit of fun wherever he went. In Raymond's memory, please consider signing up to be an organ donor. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to assist other families going through organ transplant via Jason Ray Memorial Trust Fund. Donations can be mailed to:
UNC Health Foundation
PO Box 1050
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
www.jasonray.org
On Sunday, September 20th, we will host two opportunities to express love to the family of Raymond Helms and to honor Raymond's life. The first is an outdoor time of visitation from 3:00-4:45pm at Resurrection Church, 2940 Commonwealth Avenue, Charlotte. Masks will be required at the visitation. So will hugs.
The second opportunity is a funeral service at 5:00pm. The service will be inside the Center for New Life, observing social distancing measures that include limiting the number of persons inside the Center to 120. The family requests that face coverings are worn inside the service. Assuming ground conditions are suitable, we will also provide a live-streaming option for the service in the Courtyard, also observing social distancing protocols. Persons wishing to attend the service outside will need to bring their own chairs.
For those who are unable to attend in person, the service will be live-streamed and available for later viewing at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr_I7aavEgVvbic5IxDEk-Q
Katherine R "Jill" Hadden
Like Wyndham Shaw, I met Raymond in third grade. As I recall, both were smart, shy and friendly to me. His backyard almost touched mine. My thoughts are with the families of both. 🙏 ❤Catherine Elizabeth "Cathy" Taylor (Metz)
Nancy Anne Darling (Livermon)
KABOOM!! My kids have loved the story of Raymond and I in Chemistry class. We were doing a lab experiment with moth balls. Something wasn't going right. The other classmates near us were doing the same experiment, but ours sure didn't look like theirs. Raymond said, "You go tell Mrs. Taylor." I did, but she waved me off because she was in the middle of a conversation with some of her "teacher's pets". Our experiment was really looking worse. "Raymond, you go tell Mrs. Taylor this time." He did, but she waved him off, too. It wasn't long before our experiment went KABOOM!! And THAT finally got Mrs. Taylor's attention! Everyone was okay, but as we sat at our desks for the rest of the class, little black flakes kept wafting down over us!
Raymond was a good guy and I was lucky to have him as a friend...maybe not as a Chemistry lab partner. ..but a good friend. My thoughts and prayers are with his family,