Marie M Helms

June 17, 1923- February 10, 2012

On June 17, 1923, Marie M. Helms, was born to Oscar and Mamie Allen in

Tecumseh, Oklahoma. She was one of 11 children to their marriage. Marie excelled in

every subject in school and in 1940, her Senior year of High School, she met her

lifetime sweetheart, Carl. She was the class president, but nothing could stop her from

dropping out of school in December, 1940, marrying Carl, and coming to California on

their honeymoon, bringing their parents along!

They spent a short period of time in La Habre, California while Carl worked in the

shipyards, but soon they relocated to Kingsburg, where their union was blessed with

four daughters: Janette Gregg (Ken) of Pismo Beach, California, Karen Barnett (Clifford)

of Everett, Washington, Peggy Tredway (Jim) of Strathmore, California, and Carlette

Marshall (Robert) of Hulbert, Oklahoma. She was blessed with 8 grandchildren: Brian

Gregg, Steven Gregg, Stacy Klassoff, Darren Tredway, Jason Barnett, April Marshall,

Stephanie McDaniel, and Robert Marshall, Jr. She was further blessed with 18 greatgrandchildren

and 7 great-great-grandchildren. She also leaves a sister, Ruby Miller, of

Citrus Heights, California as well as several nieces and nephews.

Carl and Marie met the Lord through good friends, were baptized and received

the Holy Ghost in Visalia, California in 1949 and were called into the ministry of the

United Pentecostal Church and were privileged to pastor in Kingsburg for 12 years

(1960-1972) before begin called to Orosi for 29 years (1972-2001). In both locations, a

new sanctuary and family center were erected. From these positions, there are

hundreds of loving saints over the years. Most of their retirement years have been spent

in Dinuba, California, where they continued faithfully in the ministry and Bible Studies.

Marie worked at Del Monte Cannery, Kingsburg, every summer, for 30 years.

Marie lived her life by Godly example. She rarely raised her voice, but rather

spoke quietly with great wisdom, for which she was highly respected by all. She loved

reading and studying the Bible. Many will recall her being affectionately known as the

“Apple Queen” for the hundreds of thousands of candy apples she made as fund raisers

to pay for new buildings and many other things. Complaining was not one of her

qualities, regardless of her feelings. She looked well to the ways of her household and

never ate the bread of idleness-- her girls knew never to say the word, “bored,” because

when you finished the list of chores you were given, you quickly learned that lesson!

She was an amazing seamstress, having sewed all 4 of her daughters wedding

dresses! Her girls never knew what a “store-bought” dress was, and were proud to wear

her love-sewn garments! She loved crocheting, reading, and flowers as well!

God called Marie home in the early morning hours of Friday, February 10, 2012

into her Heavenly reward. She fought many serious illnesses in her 88 years, and

remained faithful to her family and God, but we know that this was her time to be

rewarded for her faithful service. We will be reunited with her again soon.