Howard Dean "Pop" Helms

Angels ushered Howard Dean Helms “Pop”, 84 years old, to his heavenly home Tuesday, April 22, 2014, after a brief illness. A celebration of his life service will be Friday, April 25, 2014 at 2pm at Goodyear Heights Baptist Church. His body will lie in state for one hour prior to the service. Dr. Tommy Ferguson will officiate. Burial will be at Crestwood Cemetery with Collier Butler Funeral Home directing. Family will receive friends Thursday, from 6 to 8pm at the funeral home.

Howard accepted the Lord and was baptized at Henry Street Baptist Church which later relocated and was renamed Goodyear Heights Baptist. He served as Deacon, Sunday School teacher and usher for many years and remained a faithful member loving his church and church family.

He was born in Louisville, Alabama and moved to Gadsden at the age of 16. He joined the Army in 1950 and served in the Korean conflict. Howard married Dorothy Jean Lee in November, 1952 and they had one daughter, Becky. Howard retired from Union Yarn Mill, Jacksonville, Alabama.

Howard was a faithful and loving, husband, father, grandfather, and uncle. He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy Jean, his parents L. Wesley and Minnie L. Helms, five brothers and seven sisters. Howard was the youngest of the 13 children and was the last to pass away.

He is survived by his daughter, Becky (Joe) Morgan and one grandchild, B.J. Morgan and his fiancée Sara Wagnon. He leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews who will greatly miss his presence in their lives; and special family members, John and Anita Morgan, Allen and Jane Frazier, and niece Joan Bradley who lovingly ministered to him through his illness.

Pallbearers will be Allen Bryan, Allen Champion, Tommy Crane, Allen Frazier, Mike Gilley, Don Helms, Mack Helms, and John Morgan.

Honorary pallbearers are: Dr. H.B. Thompson, Dr. Charles Serna, Joy Patterson, Dr. Kalem, Goodyear Heights Baptist Church family, Deacons Goodyear Heights Baptist Church, and Paden Ridge Assisted Living Staff and residents.

The family expresses appreciation to the GRMC staff of SICU, MICU, 9th floor south wing and 7th floor south wing nurses, Vann Lockridge, Southern Care Hospice (Nikki, Jamie and Peggy) for their compassion, services, and ministry to Howard and family. A special thanks to the friends and family of Paden Ridge Assisted Living where “Pop” had lived happily for the past 5years.

Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to Goodyear Heights Baptist Church.

Online condolences may be made at www.collier-butler.com.