Kenneth Lee Helms

Kenneth Lee Helms, 84, of Rockwell passed away Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017, at Carolinas Healthcare System-Main in Charlotte.

A celebration of Ken’s life will begin at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, at First Baptist Church of Rockwell, where he was a member. The Rev. Matthew Laughter and the Rev. Max Vanderburg will officiate, and burial at Carolina Memorial Park, Kannapolis, military graveside rites will be provided by the Cabarrus County Veterans Honor Guard. The Helms family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Gordon Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant.  

Ken was born in Stanly County on April 7, 1933, to Walter C. Helms and Inah Eudy Helms. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by four sisters, Sue H. Lambert, Ada Rose H. Howard, Yvonne H. Faggart and Bernice H. Mullis.

A veteran of the US Air Force where he served as an A1C staff sergeant, Ken was retired from Johnson Motor Lines and IBM. He enjoyed playing golf, hunting, gardening and camping with his family, especially when those activities meant extra time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He served his church as a deacon and Sunday school teacher, and he was a Mason.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years Peggy Hill Helms of the home; a son, Randy Lee Helms; two daughters, Pamela H. Brooks (Michael) and Dawn H. Gledhill (David); six grandchildren, Russell Helms (Christie), John Brooks (Jill), Nathan Brooks (Katie), Lori Dreyer (Justin), Darrell Gledhill, and Leslie Early (Matt); seven great-grandchildren, Raylan Helms, Marshall and Sonora Brooks, Landyn and Josie Brooks, and Carson and Grady Dreyer; and a sister, Mary Brown H. Faggart.

Contributions in Ken’s memory may be directed to First Baptist of Rockwell, 8630 Hillcrest Dr., Rockwell NC 28138 or Alzheimer's Association, 4600 Park, Rd., Charlotte NC 28209