Helen Sims Smaw

Helen Grace Sims Smaw, 90, of New Bern, North Carolina took her chair in the Heavenly orchestra on Monday, September 29, 2025. She was at her home, held by the love of her children when her earthly ties were unbound. Helen was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee on January 19, 1935, to the late Dr. Oliver Hoke Sims and Floy Belle Silver Sims.

Helen was the only sister to six brothers. Their childhood home was in Madison, Tennessee, a suburb of Nashville. Helen graduated from Nashville’s Isaac Litton High School (1953) and Belmont University (1957) with a Bachelor of Arts—English major and foreign languages minor. Helen studied violin at Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, New York and at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, and played violin with the Nashville Symphony. Helen received the Master of Religious Education from Southeastern Theological Seminary (1971) in Wake Forest, North Carolina, having completed earlier coursework at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. After marriage to a New Bern native, Helen taught Reading and English at Central Elementary School and New Bern Senior High School. Upon seminary completion, she accepted a position at the Baptist Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention in Nashville and began a fulfilling career as assistant editor of adult Sunday School and children’s Vacation Bible School curricula. Helen returned to New Bern after retirement. She was inducted into the Alpha Psi Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International for Women Educators in 1968 and National League of American Pen Women, Inc., Nashville Branch, in 1978. In 2012, Helen was inducted as an honorary member of Craven Community College’s Alpha Phi Nu chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. Helen was a devoted member of First Baptist Church of New Bern, sang second soprano in the Adult Sanctuary Choir, played violin in the church orchestra, and believed strongly in local and international missions. Helen was a gifted published composer, poet, and playwright. She enjoyed international travel and vacations with her extensive family.

Helen is survived by loving children, Charlotte Meredith Smaw James, Kathryn Sims Smaw Amerson (Douglas), Mary Helen Smaw, Charles Wingo Smaw; grandchildren, John Thomas Vereen, Nicholas Ryan White, Timothy Edward Garrett (Jordan Phillips), Charles Anthony Garrett (Ashley Prather), Meredith Grace Amerson Laskovics (Stephen Frederick), Mary Kathryn Cooksey Amerson, Margaret Douglas Amerson; great-grandchildren, John Thomas Vereen, Jr., Noah Jay, Elijah James and Malachi Jordan White, Lily Grace and Mary Ella Garrett, Caitlyn Faye, Anna Elizabeth, and Owen Anthony Garrett, Frederick Stephen and Dominic Francis Laskovics. Beloved brothers Donald David Sims (Rhonda Connatser) and Roger Mansfield Sims and many cherished nieces and nephews also survive her.

In addition to her parents, Helen is predeceased by her husband, Dr. Owen Meredith Smaw, and brothers, Dr. Richard Bennett Sims, William Oliver Sims, Charles Henry Sims, and Dr. Norman LeMaster Sims.

The family would like to thank First Baptist Church of New Bern ministers, choir and Sunday School friends, and Wednesday night dinner angels for visits, prayers, and many notes of encouragement. The family would also like to thank Helen’s wonderful CCHC providers, CarolinaEast Medical Center, and attentive staff of 3HC Home Health and Hospice Care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of New Bern, P.O. Box 1463, New Bern, NC 28563, to support future mission endeavors undertaken by all ages.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, October 19, 2025, from 1:00pm until 2:00pm at First Baptist Church, 239 Middle St, New Bern, NC 28560. Funeral service will follow at 2:00pm. Helen will be laid to rest beside her husband at New Bern Memorial Cemetery following the service, 1112 Chelsea Rd, New Bern, NC 28562. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.cottenfuneralhome.com. 

Cotten Funeral Home is honored to serve the family and friends of Helen Grace Sims Smaw.