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An extraordinary woman, Melissa Dawn Helms, changed our lives forever.
Born to Mildred Kerr Helms and the late Benjamin Leonard Helms on January 5, 1959, Melissa loved her parents deeply. Her first thought each morning was to call her mother. She sought every opportunity to serve and honor her parents. But that’s not what made her extraordinary.
Melissa was a fiercely loving mother and grandmother to her son, David Wayne Hewett (Ryan) Lillian, Clayton and Addison and her daughter, Stephanie Dawn Waller (Brad) Waylon and Cheyenne.
As a parent, she provided support and love, even jumping in to work wherever she was needed. No task was too big or too small for her… but that’s not what made her extraordinary.
As a grandmother, she showered love over each of her grandchildren:
“Nanny” always welcomed her precious babies into her home. They gave her such joy and she loved spending time with them… teaching them about horses and driving the golf cart and tractor. She taught them that work could be fun if you listened to your heart, and that simple things were worth more than gold! But that’s not what made her extraordinary.
As a sister, she was a great supporter and encourager to Jennifer Knox (Don). Melissa loved Bible study, singing, shopping, getting an orange cream slush from Sonic…. Or really any opportunity to be together. She loved her brother in law and always found peace in his words. But… that’s not what made her extraordinary.
As an aunt to Christi Austin (Benji), Amanda Eller (Joshua) and great Aunt to Kylie, Tyler, Lukas, Jasper, Huck, Paisley and Alanna, she embraced the role with exuberance. She never missed an opportunity to help. She loved each of them deeply. But that’s not what made her extraordinary.
As a friend… well all of the names would take more space than allowed, but in Ester, Linda, and Sandy…. She found kindred spirits for her adventures! Melissa’s middle name should have been “GO” because she was always up for a great experience… even If it meant getting muddy and soaked, being stranded on a cruise ship, or meeting friends for dinner. But that’s not what made her extraordinary.
Was she “perfect”? No, she wasn’t. Was she always “nice”? No, she wasn’t. Was she “rich”? No she wasn’t. So…. What DID make her extraordinary? That’s easy! Jesus! Melissa’s faith made her who she was, gave her a big heart for people, even those who crushed her spirit… yes, even those!
Some people claim their value in money, fame, popularity, “things”, but not Melissa. She found her value in her Savior. And THAT is what made her extraordinary and why our lives will never be the same without her. Her earthly life may have ended on January 24, 2021, but her legacy in Jesus will remain with us until we are all reunited. WHAT A DAY THAT WILL BE!
A private celebration honoring Melissa will be held in the coming days. Your prayers for all of the family are greatly appreciated.
Melissa would be so pleased to know that donations in her memory will go to Hospice or to the Leslie and Brian Robertson (210 N Central Ave, Landis, NC 28088) for their family mission.
Carolina Cremation of Salisbury and Charlotte is serving the Helms family. Online condolences may be made at www.carolinacremation.com.
Phyllis Moore says
You hit it on the nail. Melissa was special in so many ways. I am so blessed to have known her and will never forget our text messages over the past several months. She was a blessing even in her illness. My love to all of you. God give you comfort and peace.
Tim Walton says
To a wonderful friend and a gracious woman.
Mike Mangum says
What a fantastic woman. I’m proud to have known you Melissa. I will see you again as requested.
Go ride Odie a while
James Hewett says
RIP Melissa. Praying for comfort to all family and friends.
George and Anne Kimball says
What a wonderful tribute! You all are in our our prayers. May God Bless you and Comfort you in this time of sadness and pain. You now have your angel to watch over you.
Mike and Kathy Austin says
Melissa was kind and sweet, always willing to help. She will be missed, but it’s not goodbye, but see you later.
Love and prayers to Mawmaw, Jennifer and all the family.
Mike and Kathy Austin
Donna Sides says
Beautifully said of a beautiful lady. I will miss Melissa’s genuine and easy smile. I will miss her quick wit and sensitive and sweet sweet spirit. I will miss singing beside her and chatting about nothing, yet everything. I have seen her full of joy and seen her broken and full of pain, but never at a loss of a kind word, sweet smile and precious concern for others. I will miss her. I am looking forward to seeing her sweet face again one day. In the meantime, thanking God for allowing our paths to cross and for knowing Melissa. Praying for precious Mildred and this sweet family. Love you all
Morgan Owen says
You will be greatly missed. Fly high Melissa. There was never a dull moment when riding horses. Love you sweet lady.
Joey&carissa kimball says
RIP Melissa! Prayers and peace to the family!
Beverly Hairston says
You were a kind and beautiful lady. God has another angel to come home. Praying for the family.
Mitzi Goodman says
I have known Melissa a long time. She was always sweet, when I saw her. I know she loved her horses. Praying for all of her family and friends.
Jennifer King (Burroughs) says
Melissa was an amazing friend and co-worker. She always had encouraging words for me and always asked how I was doing and how life was going. I loved hearing her stories about her horses and hearing her and Ester talk about the horses at the horse barn. You will never be forgotten!! Love you Melissa!!
Donna Maness Maness says
That was well written and a description of Melissa perfectly! Such a sweet lady as I was blessed to know her and share a granddaughter with her ( Lilly) RIP sweet lady till we see you again ❤️❤️
Judy Eagle says
My thoughts and Prayers for this family as the days ahead will be a big adjustment without Melissa in sight, but she will remain in your heart forever. When a mother, sister or friend becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure! Prayers for all!
LuAnn Grambow says
Melissa loved her Lord above all else and lived to serve Him. She loved her family and would have died for the wellbeing of any of them. She was sweet and kind and also spunky and not afraid to speak her opinion about things. She was one of a kind! Love her and so glad she is with her Lord! She is now all the above, perfected ❤️!
Louise Klaver says
What a beautiful tribute. So very true. My mind can’t put in words of how I feel. Her love for Christ was like no other. Her upbeat personality was such a joy to be around. I will miss her bursting through the front door of the YMCA to teach her class with always a smile, kind words. She will NEVER be forgotten. Prayers for us left behind. ????❤️????
Lisa Hancock says
That fits Melissa perfectly! My Dad knew Melissa a lot longer than I did and often talked about what a “hard worker” she was. I seen that in her and I see it passed on to her beautiful sweet daughter Stephanie. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. She will always be with you!
Glenn McNeill says
Please trust in God to see you through, and know that many thoughts and prayers are with you now. May the promise in God’s word be your hope today, your peace tomorrow, and your comfort always! Heartfelt condolences from your North Carolina State Highway Patrol family!
Nancy Beaver says
Such a beautiful tribute to Melissa. Love and prayers in the days to come.
Gary Cress says
So sorry for the loss of Melissa’s life but her gain in Heaven. Loved by many but not forgotten. Prayers for the family!!
Sherry Holdren says
Stephanie and Brad
Sorry for the loss of your mother our prayers are with you and the family.
Sandra Bost says
Prayers and love to sweet Melissa’s family!!????????????????????????
Sharon Horton says
What a loving tribute to a fine lady. I only knew Melissa through the Y and classes she attended and taught. She was a friendly and caring person. Any discussion we had involved her love for her family and her Lord.
I worked with her sister, Jennifer and brother-in-law, Don. A wonderful family.
I feel blessed to have known Melissa and know friends and family will miss her dearly.
Ann Adams says
Such a beautiful tribute that expresses the huge loss to her family and friends. She was a special lady and will be missed. Prayers for Gods arms of comfort and peace to be wrapped around her loved ones.
Mark Smith says
Stephanie and Family, May God bless and keep you during this time of grief. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Mark Smith, Freeport Fl.
Pastor Richard Myers and family says
Our hearts break with yours, but we pray for the hope of Christ to comfort and sustain you in the days ahead.
Julie Deal says
Melissa was special to so many! Every word written is true. She was a sweet spirit and even when life knocked her down, she picked herself up, brushed off the dust and kept sharing her faith. Even in her unpleasant times, she always was an encourager. I’m so thankful to have known Melissa because she made us all better people! This isn’t good bye forever, it’s just a see you later sweet friend❤️
KC Smith says
Much prayer to all the family. Praying for God’s peace.
June Kluttz Pryor says
I just knew Melissa through a YMCA class she taught. I was only in her class about 4 months. She made a lasting impression on me. So glad I knew her.
Addison Hewett says
RIP, I love you and will see you again, Nanny. ♥️♥️
Addison Hewett says
Hope you rest well. We love you! ♥️♥️