Sandra Jean Helms

In the early morning hours of Friday, August 19, 2016, Sandra Mainer Helms, age 75 of Marion, North Carolina passed away peacefully surrounded by her family. A native of Marion, she was the daughter of the late James and Bertha Mainer. 

Sandra was known both near and far for her gift of both voice and piano playing.  She and her late husband, Doug Helms, shared their love of God through gospel music and traveled for over 30 years in the Eastern United States singing.  She was a faithful member of Yancey Street Baptist Church and First Christian Church where she shared her gift of singing and playing the piano.  Sandra was a long-time employee of GEM Construction, and they were like her second family.  She was an excellent bookkeeper and receptionist having also worked at McDowell News.

Sandra always said her greatest accomplishment in life was the birth of her five children. Those left to cherish her memories are her daughters, Cynthia Holloway (Rick) of Salisbury, Maryland, Wendy Gibson (Mike) of Marion and three sons also of Marion; Joe Gallion (Joyce), David Gallion (Rita) and Heath Helms (Anna).  She is also survived by one sister, Naomi Wheeler of Marion. She was the blessed grandmother of twelve grandchildren and two great grand-children; as well as several nieces and nephews. 

Preceding her in death in addition to her parents and husband, are one sister, Iris; one brother, Dean and several siblings who died at birth.

Sandra enjoyed watching her kids "play ball" throughout their childhood and was always a cheerleader!  She also enjoyed watching her roses grow and going to the beach with her family. One of her past-times was shopping for "pretties" at thrift shops.

A visitation with family and friends will be held at Yancey Street Baptist Church on Sunday, August 21, 2016 from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.

A celebration of Sandra's life will be held on Monday, August 22, 2016 at Yancey Street Baptist Church at 11:00 a.m., where her body will lie in state one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Chapel Hill Cemetery. Officiating the service will be Reverends Dean Owenby of Yancey Street Baptist Church and Don Mitchell of First Christian Community Church. 

 In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Yancey Street Baptist Church, P.O. Box 2687, Marion, North Carolina 28752 and/or Hospice of McDowell County, 575 Airport Road, Marion, North Carolina  28752 or by visiting www.hospiceofmcdowell.org.