Mrs. Annie Ruth Denning Helms

Mrs. Helms, age 98, of Charlotte passed away after an extended illness, Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at home with her loving husband of 63 years by her side.

She was born June 14, 1913 in Durham, North Carolina the daughter of the late Sidney Alan and Betty Gregory Denning. She is preceded in death by an infant child and five brothers, Theodore, Frank, Curtis, Hubert and Bill Denning.

Ruth was a devoted and loving wife whom never objected to Buck’s second love, golf. She was an expert seamstress with an eye for fashion. Ruth was a true southern lady, loving, unselfish and quick to smile, who always enjoyed a visit with family, especially from nieces and nephews. She enjoyed the company of children and taught children’s Sunday school classes for over thirty years with St. John’s United Methodist Church in Charlotte. She loved to hold little children and her nieces and nephews would fight over her “frozen treats” that she always made. After retirement Ruth and Buck enjoyed traveling, going to the beach and mountains with family and friends. One of their most memorable trips was a six week cross country with close friends.

She is survived by her loving husband, Walter Royce “Buck” Helms; niece and dear friend, Francis Denning Hudson and her son’s Jack Hudson and Dr. Al Hudson and wife Ansle; Brothers-in-law, Charles Herbert Helms and wife Ida, their daughter Dahn, and Thomas Jerrold Helms; nephews, Anthony Gray and wife Rusty and Timothy Gray and wife Gail; and many other loving family members.

A funeral service will be held 11:00 am Saturday, May 26, 2012 at McEwen Funeral Service at Sharon Memorial Park, 5716 Monroe Road, Charlotte, NC 28212. Interment will follow in Sharon Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the funeral service at the funeral home.

The family would like to thank the staff of Presbyterian Hospice and Palliative Care who made it possible for Ruth to remain at home with Buck. Our gratitude also goes to the staff at the Wilora Lake Lodge for their support through the period of Ruth’s illness. Thank you to friends and family for your visits and prayers , especially neighbors, Holly, Bill and Fallon Burns for their visits and love.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Presbyterian Hospice and Palliative Care, PO Box 33549, Charlotte, NC 28233-3549.

Condolences at www.McEwenfs.com.