ELOISE T. HELMS
Nov. 15, 1919-Oct. 19, 2017
Eloise Taylor Helms, 97, Kinston, passed away Oct. 19, 2017, at home in Lenoir County, N.C.
She was born Nov. 15, 1919, in Kinston, N.C., to Raymond Taylor and Wilmouth Alma Sutton Taylor.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James Luther "Jimmie" Helms; her sister, Marjorie Eoline Taylor Cheek, and husband, Rupert Ernest "R.E." Cheek Jr.; twin brother, Elwood Taylor (Lt. Col. USA, Ret), and wife, Ruby Christine Whitfield Taylor; and brother, James Robert "Zeke" Taylor, and wives, Marie Florence Weyher Taylor and Betty Claire Williams Heath Taylor; and son-in-law, Billy Emmett Vance (Lt. Col. USAF, Ret).
Eloise answered to the name "Weeze," conferred upon her by her good friends, the late Tom and Mary Gable of Goldsboro, N.C.
She is survived by her son, Michael James Helms, and wife, Marilyn Louise Wood Helms, of Candler, N.C.; and daughter, Jane Eloise Helms Vance (Maj. USAF, Ret) of Kinston. She is also survived by grandson, Eric Augustus Helms, and wife, Margarita Aquino Helms, of Chapel Hill, N.C.; granddaughter, Michelle Marie Helms, of Asheville, N.C.; granddaughter, Melissa Jane Helms, and partner, Lee Duckworth, of Asheville, N.C.; and great-grandchildren, Oscar James Edrada, Eric Augustus Helms II and Hadley Jane Duckworth. Eloise is also survived by nephew, R.E. Cheek III, and wife, Donna Lee McLawhorn Cheek, of Kinston; nieces, Margaret Louise "Peggy" Taylor Bridges, and husband, Charlie Bridges, of Moseley, Va.; Carla Taylor of Moseley, Va., and Laura Erwin Taylor Barwick, and husband, Edward Milton Barwick Jr., of Raleigh, N.C.; and a host of friends and fellow bridge players.
She is also survived by the Smith "out-laws," Mary Louise and Ruby Anne. Weeze babysat Laura and Margaret (daughters of Ralph and Jane Gable) so often that she called them her "Goldsboro grandchildren." Not least, her feral feline, Boots, brought years of affection.
Eloise was a member of the Grainger High School Class of 1936 of Kinston, and was born into "The Greatest Generation." Her brothers and brother-in-law all served their country during World War II; and her sister served in a military auxiliary. Despite not being in the military herself, she kept the home fires burning as her husband Jimmie worked as a military contractor, building defense structures on the Delmarva Peninsula, and at Fort Macon and Cape Lookout, N.C. Eloise was the last of her family's generation.
Eloise, primarily a homemaker, was a skilled seamstress by necessity while raising a family, and for pleasure doing crochet, counted cross-stitch, and other intricate needlework. She volunteered as a candy striper at Wayne Memorial Hospital, on Ash Street, in Goldsboro. After her children graduated from Brogden High School, she volunteered as a Red Cross nurse aide at the new, consolidated Southern Wayne High School.
Church life was important to Eloise. She and Jimmie were charter members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Goldsboro. After moving back to Kinston, she was a stalwart member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, maintaining her position as senior member for many years.
Contract Bridge was the breath of life for Eloise. As a member of several bridge clubs over the decades, fun and fellowship were her aims. Her latest calendar included Jenny Holt's on Wednesdays, Snow Hill on Thursdays, and the Golden Corral on second Mondays. These took precedence in scheduling over other appointments. All of her high-stakes winnings (pennies, nickels, and some quarters) went to the Prince of Peace fellowship meals fund -- they were banquets.
Visitation was held at Edwards Funeral Home, Kinston N.C., on Monday, Oct. 23, 2017, from 10 until 11 a.m., with graveside services following at Westview Cemetery in Kinston, N.C., at 11:30 a.m., with Pastor Clay Ogren officiating.
Memorials may be sent to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 2010 Carey Road, Kinston, N.C., 28504-2115, or to the Lenoir County SPCA, P.O. Box 1481, Kinston, N.C., 28503-1481.
Arrangements by Edwards Funeral Home & Cremations. Online condolences may be expressed at www.edwardsfhc.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on October 24, 2017 8:05 AM