Helen H. Helms

Funeral services for Helen H. Helms, 83, of Natchitoches, LA, will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 20, 2008 in the First United Methodist Church in Natchitoches with the Rev. Donald Avery and Rev. James Poole officiating. Burial will follow at Memory Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at the Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home of Natchitoches and on Thursday, March 20, 2008 from 1 PM until service time in the Church. Helen was born November 10, 1924 in Crossett, Arkansas to Perry and Sally Herring and has lived in Natchitoches since 1952. She passed away at 9:15 AM Monday, March 17, 2008 in the Natchitoches Parish Hospital. Helen was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She leaves to cherish her memory: one son, Howard Helms and wife Elizabeth of DeRidder, La.; two daughters, Sandra Pratt of Natchitoches and Debra Sonnier and husband Vernice of Spring, Tx.; one sister Mimi Ciarletta of Pearland, Tx.; five grandchildren, William Helms and wife Kelli of Nokomis, Fla., Nickolas Platt of Tallahassee Fl., Gregory Helms and wife Heather of Sarasota Fl., Bradley Sonnier of Spring, Tx., and Jennifer Swanson and husband Eric of Tallahassee, Fl.; four great-grandchildren, Ashley Helms, Sarah Helms, and Tyler Helms, all of Nokomis Fl., and Brielle Helms of Sarasota, Fl.; and three nephews, James Gossett and wife Becky, Andrew Gossett and wife Rebecca, and William Pasho, all of Houston, Tx. She was preceded in death by her husband Louis Helms and her parents. Helen was an admired and respected Christian woman who was loved by a great many people. She loved painting and watching her birds and steadfastly believed in family, hard work, honesty, and serving the Lord until her final days. Of the many organizations which she was a member, PEO was always her first love. She was a very active member of Chapter I, P.E.O. , and in 2006, became a Golden Girl, signifying 50 years of membership. In 1984, Helen was President of the Louisiana State Chapter of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, which culminated seven years of leadership positions within the Louisiana State Chapter. The family would like to thank Dr. Mary Long for her dedicated care provided to Helen during her last years. In lieu of flowers, donations in Helen's memory can be made to the First United Methodist Church, 411 Second Street, Natchitoches, La. 71457, or to the charity of one's choice.